Peket Chaud

Name: Peket Chaud
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Cuisine: Belgium
Ingredients: Peket or genièvre (Belgian juniper spirit) (3/4 cup + 1 tbsp) — 200 ml (3/4 cup); Water (1¼ cups) — 300 ml (1 1/4 cups); Honey (2 tbsp) — 40 g (1.4 oz); Cinnamon stick (1) — 1; Star anise (2) — 2; Orange, sliced (1) — 1; Cloves — 4

The Quirky Foodster Team

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5 min

Prep

12 min

Cook

Ingredients

Peket or genièvre (Belgian juniper spirit) (3/4 cup + 1 tbsp) — 200 ml (3/4 cup)
Water (1¼ cups) — 300 ml (1 1/4 cups)
Honey (2 tbsp) — 40 g (1.4 oz)
Cinnamon stick (1) — 1
Star anise (2) — 2
Orange, sliced (1) — 1
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.