Christmas is the season for opening your home and welcoming friends and family to share in some festive spoils. Whether you are inviting guests to dinner or they simply happened to stop by, it’s only fitting to welcome them with a drink. If they do stay for a meal, a welcome drink is great for building up an appetite. Of course, even if they are just stopping in for a few minutes, you can at least offer them something to drink.
Port is a popular welcome drink and it is often served in modest quantities. Due to its sweetness and bold flavour means that it is best enjoyed at leisure. You can serve it on its own or along with various cheeses. Just make sure that you choose cheeses that will be able to stand up to the strong flavours and aromas of the port you’re serving.
Red wine, white wine, and even rosé can also be served when you welcome your guests. You might like to open more than one type of wine so that your guests have a choice. Keep some water or even sparkling water on hand for those who wish to clear their taste buds from time to time. Champagne and sparkling wine are also excellent for embracing that festive spirit. These bottles of bubbly are available in sweet and dry varieties, they come in red, white, and rosé as well as those with various flavours like berries or even peach.
Cocktails will also go down really well provided you have the time to prepare them. If possible, prepare a bowl of punch and store it in your fridge until guests start arriving. Serve them their first glass and allow them to help themselves throughout the evening.
If you want something warm, you could serve hot wine. Hot wine includes lovely seasonal flavours such as cinnamon, orange, cloves, and more! You can use red or white wine but many will agree that red wine works best. Place a bowl of sugar on the side so that your guests can add as much or as little as they like.
Remember to also offer non-alcoholic beverages for those who are driving and prefer not to drink during the evening. Fruit juice, soda, water, coffee, and tea are all great options.