One thing is for sure: when the days start to grow shorter and the temperature starts to drop we begin craving cocktails that are smooth and warming. That’s why we love sipping this incredible Hot Gin Punch cocktail recipe through autumn and winter.

Inspired by Bob Cratchit’s concoction in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and flavoured with cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, it is the ultimate winter warmer, full of classic winter flavours and infused with sweet fruitiness from the orange and pineapple slices.

Somewhere between mulled wine and a gin punch, this classic hot cocktail is not to be missed!

What is Hot Gin Punch made of?

This warm cocktail recipe is made using gin, we recommend using London dry gin but if you want to give the cocktail an extra festive tone then sloe gin works too.

The gin is mixed with Madeira wine, winter spices of your choice, pineapple, lemon, orange, apple and brown sugar.

What does Hot Gin Punch taste like?

In this hot cocktail, Madeira wine’s sweet, nutty, fruity, caramel flavour profile offers a wonderfully tasty contrast to the rich, earthy layering of juniper, citrus, spice and herb of a good London dry gin.

The spices then add complex yet warming festive tones that make this cocktail ideal for Christmas (it’s just as good at any other time of the year too!).

Our choice of fruit finishes off the drinking experience by adding juicy, fun citrus and orchard fruit notes, with the pineapple offering a tropical touch that is simply divine.

We can’t wait for you to give this simple Hot Gin Punch recipe a try!

Hot Gin Punch

(Makes approximately 6 servings)

480ml gin
480ml sweet Madeira wine
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar (or more if you prefer)
Peel and juice of 1 lemon (or more if you prefer)
Peel and juice of 1 orange
1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 apple, sliced
3 whole cloves, 3 cinnamon sticks
Pinch of ground nutmeg

Put all the ingredients in a medium-sized pan over a low heat.

Bring to a simmer and cook gently (without boiling) for thirty minutes.

Taste and adjust the balance of flavours with more brown sugar or more lemon juice as you prefer.

Pour the mixture into a jug, large punch bowl or teapot and serve!