Drinks
Peket Chaud
Ingredients
- - 200 ml Peket or genièvre (Belgian juniper spirit) (3/4 cup + 1 tbsp)
- - 300 ml Water (1¼ cups)
- - 40 g Honey (2 tbsp)
- - 1 Cinnamon stick (1)
- - 2 Star anise (2)
- - 1 Orange, sliced (1)
- - 4 Cloves (4)
Method
- Combine the water, honey, cinnamon stick, star anise, orange slices and cloves in a saucepan.
- Bring gently to a simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes to infuse the spices, without boiling hard.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the peket.
- Warm through gently for 1–2 minutes over low heat — do not boil, as this drives off the alcohol's aroma.
- Ladle into heatproof glasses, adding a slice of orange to each, and serve warm.
Introduction: Peket is a traditional juniper spirit from the Liège region, historically distilled at home and central to local
festivals.
Cultural Background: Peket is a traditional juniper spirit from the Liège region, historically distilled at home and central to local
festivals. Served warm and gently spiced, peket chaud is a favourite at Belgian Christmas markets, especially
around Liège.
Tips: Add the peket off the heat and only warm briefly afterwards, to preserve its aromatic character. Adjust honey to taste — the spiced infusion should be warming but not overly sweet.
Variations: Non-alcoholic version: omit the peket and increase honey slightly for a warm spiced orange drink. Use a flavoured peket (such as speculoos or coffee peket) for a festive twist.
Vegetarian/Vegan: Naturally vegetarian; a non-alcoholic variation is included above.
Storage: Best served fresh and warm; not suitable for storing once mixed with spirit.
Reheating: Reheat gently over low heat if it has cooled, without boiling.
Nutrition: Per serving: approx. 160 kcal, 0g protein, 0g fat, 14g carbohydrate, 12g sugar.
FAQs:
Q: What is peket?
A: Peket, or genièvre, is a traditional Belgian juniper-based spirit historically produced in the Liège region, similar in spirit to Dutch jenever.
Q: Can I substitute the spirit?
A: A neutral gin can be used as a substitute, since both are juniper-based spirits, though the flavour will differ slightly from traditional peket.