by Rebecca Lee and Liz Hunter 

Christmas is upon us yet again and we know how hectic things can be. With so much to do and gifts to buy, keep things simple and heart felt with a homemade gift or just enjoy them yourself… you obviously deserve it! 

Easy Peasy Rum Balls

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 minutes Makes: 15

Ingredients

• 2 tbs rum (any type of the dark variety)
• 2 tbs cocoa
• 9 WeetBix
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut, plus extra for rolling
• 1 cup sultanas
• 1 tin condensed milk

Method

1. Break up the WeetBix using the end of a rolling pin to crush them into small pieces
2. Add all the dry ingredients and mix well
3. Add the rum and the condensed milk. Mix with hands until well combined and place in the fridge for about 30 minutes to harden
4. Remove from fridge and roll the mixture into balls, toss the balls in coconut until well covered. Refrigerate.

Notes
* Adjust the rum to taste. You can also leave it out all together for a kid friendly treat * If you make a double batch, it’s easier just to make two separate batches as its difficult to combine all the ingredients and the mixture tends to stick together when you need to roll it.

Minty Gin Cocktail

Who doesn’t love a special drink at Christmas? Get in the spirit with our festive minty gin cocktail! Make mine a mocktail? Too easy! Leave out the gin for a lovely fizzy refreshment everyone can enjoy.

Recipe

Ingredients 

• 30 mint leaves
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 2 cups lime cordial
• A handful of extra mint leaves to serve
• One lime (sliced) to serve
• Ice to serve
• 1.25L of soda water
• 2 cups of gin (or to taste)

Method

1. Place the sugar and mint in a mortar and pound with a pestle until crushed, pop this into a pretty serving jug
2. Stir in the cordial
3. Put into the jug the extra mint, sliced lime and ice
4. Top up the jug with the soda water and gin

We think this cocktail looks pretty cute in a mason jar with a paper straw, but you could serve it in anything that takes your fancy.

Extra

For an extra festive touch we cut a small slit in a gingerbread cookie so that it sat on the rim of the drinking jar.
You can also leave out the gin in this recipe (as we did) and this makes a great mocktail friendly for the little kids.

Cheers! xx