Forget oversweet, overspiced mulled wine and heat up some of your favourite cocktails this Christmas. Try these hot versions of Negronis, Sidecars and G&Ts instead of chilling them, and your fingers, with ice.

Hot G&T

A recipe which requires you to get your hands on some tonic syrup. There’s a good one available from Jeffreys here, www.jeffreysdrinks.com.

2 parts gin
1 part tonic syrup
Hot water
Aromatics – I like rosemary and bay
Lemon or orange slices

Combine the gin and the syrup in a mug or heatproof stem glass. Sir well, add the fruit and herbs and pour in just off the boil, hot water.

Hot Negroni

1 part gin
1 part Campari
1 part sweet Vermouth
Hot water
Orange slice

Combine the gin, Campari and Vermouth in a mug or heatproof stem glass. Sir well, add the orange and pour in just off the boil, hot water.

Hot Sidecar

1 part bourbon
1 part lemon juice
½ part Cointreau or Grand Marnier
1 tablespoon honey
Hot water
Lemon slices to garnish

Combine the bourbon, juice, Cointreau and honey in a glass and stir. Pour in the hot water and stir again until the honey is dissolved. Garnish with fresh lemon.