I’ve just come back from my annual pilgrimage to the Christmas markets in Germany humming with ideas and OD'd on pork. 

If you ever want a Christmassy ‘Picture Box’ place to visit, then head straight to Rothenberg ob der Tauber , where they filmed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang .  It’s absolutely beautiful! The mulled wine always starts of my December well and this year my favourite had to be ‘Turbo Gluhwein’ a magical combination of the classic Gluhwein with two shots of kirsch - it really gets you into the swing of things.   

My trip had me thinking about this year's "Hot Toddy".  Every year at home we have a Toddy for the season - last years Iced Espresso Martini’s were fantastic, so when I got home I started mixing! A classic combination that's good at this time of year, and which will be my tipple of choice, is a mixture of luxury Hot Chocolate and Green Chartreuse , a liqueur so wonderful that they named a colour after it! While the pairing might seem awkward at first glance, there's something about the potent herbal liqueur that matches perfectly with the rich earthiness of thick chocolate. It's much better than the classic Christmas Coffees from our big brand High Street neighbours.

And while an ounce or so of Chartreuse gives Hot Chocolate a lift to a stratospheric experience, the concoction can be enhanced even more by the addition of Cherry Heering , a Danish cherry liqueur. Created by San Francisco bartender Neyah White, the Brigadier takes these three basic ingredients (Cherry liquor, Green Chartreuse and Hot Chocolate) and combines them in a rich, earthy, warm-you-up way.

Of course, if you want that total retro-chic experience, just use Hot Chocolate and rich cherry brandy with half a measure of Amaretto for the ultimate Black Forrest Gateau in a glass!

Drink well this festive season.

David James
Creative Director