The end of the year heralds the festivities of Christmas, a time of joy, merriment and being generous and kind to one and all. Celebrated annually on December 25, the birth of Lord Jesus, Christmas festivities involve prayers to the Almighty to bless every person with health, wealth and happiness, singing carols to spread cheer and engaging in thoughtful acts of charity to give to the needy and help society and the community. Homes are decorated with bright colourful lights, a vividly lit star, while ornamental trinkets are hung on the Christmas tree, with red, white, golden shimmery objects attached to the pointed leaves of pine trees.
Of course, food is an integral part of Xmas celebrations, with baked pastries like plum cakes and chocolate brownies being prepared and distributed to friends and family. And after a sumptuous Christmas feast, certain customary drinks are whipped up to promote the digestion of the heavy meal as well as staying warm and cosy in the chilly winter. So go ahead, prep these traditional Christmas time beverages of classic eggnog – a rich, thick concoction made with egg yolks, whipped cream and hot wassail – a warm spiced drink prepared using apple cider and orange juice. Granted, these comforting tasty beverages will soothe the tummy, entice the taste buds and uplift overall health amidst the freezing winter.
Also Read: Merry Christmas: Delicious Pastry Recipes For A Sweet And Joyful Celebration
Classic Eggnog
Ingredients:
6 large egg yolks
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 cups milk
A pinch of salt
¼ tsp vanilla essence
½ tsp nutmeg powder
1 tsp cinnamon powder
Method:
In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks thoroughly along with sugar to obtain a light, creamy consistency
Warm the milk in a vessel on medium flame, adding the heavy whipping cream, nutmeg powder, salt and allow it to simmer for 2 – 3 minutes.
Now add the whisked egg yolks to the milk and continue to stir so that a thick blend forms.
Turn off the stovetop, remove the mixture from the heat and add the vanilla essence.
Transfer the blend into a dish, cover it and refrigerate for 1 -2 hours so that it becomes thicker and creamier.
Divide the eggnog into 4 – 6 even mugs, top it off with cinnamon powder and serve chilled after a hearty Christmas dinner.
Nutrition:
Eggs are a nutrient-dense food, packed with proteins to build strong muscles, enhance the growth, development of cells, tissues, organs in the body, besides being rich in vitamin A for optimal eyesight and vitamin D for fortified bones, joints and immunity. Milk supplies proteins and calcium, magnesium for improved bone and joint health. Brown sugar is imbued with potassium, magnesium and B vitamins to relieve menstrual cramps during periods and enrich skin texture, while nutmeg powder and cinnamon powder are packed with antioxidants that have decongestant properties to resolve respiratory problems of cough, cold, sore throat and boost lung power in winter.
Hot Wassail
Ingredients:
8 cups apple cider
2 cups orange juice
½ cup lemon juice
4 long cinnamon sticks
1 tsp ground clove powder
½ tsp ginger powder
½ tsp nutmeg powder
Method:
In a large pan, add the apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, along with the spice powders.
Cook in medium heat for 5 minutes and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
Pour the concoction into 8 glasses, put in a half cinnamon stick for added flavour and sip on the hot wassail after a lavish Christmas dinner spread.
Nutrition:
Apple cider is inherently low in calories, with zero fats, cholesterol, thereby supporting weight loss and heart health. Comprising profuse amounts of vitamin C, orange juice bolsters immunity and keeps fever, flu at bay during the chilly winters. Lemon juice is bestowed with hepatoprotective and antioxidant compounds that detoxify the system and cleanse the liver, kidneys of toxins, wastes, free radicals for augmented overall wellbeing.
How Winter Beverages Boost Health?
Drinking nutrient-dense traditional drinks have the following benefits:
Helps Ease Nasal and Throat Congestion
Due to the drop in temperatures, we tend to drink less amount of cold water during winter. Warm water may not be pleasing to everyone’s taste buds. Consuming fewer glasses of H20 may cause dehydration which may also clog the phlegm and cause nasal congestion. Drinking warm beverages ease winter sniffles and bouts of cough keeping the nasal passages clear.
Reduces Constipation
Flushing out the waste material present in the body is very important. Drinking customary beverages that are loaded with nutritious ingredients helps the stomach flush toxic substances from the body and keep it free from bacterial infections, stomach cramps, and diseases that can occur due to a chronic constipation
Increases WBC Count
Traditional winter beverages have many essential spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, and fennel. These spices help create more white blood cells in the body. WBC are crucial in strengthening the immune system and helps ward off winter-borne ailments.
Netmeds.com Wishes All Its Customers A Very Happy, Healthy And Merry Christmas 2022!
