Vodka For Ultimate Christmas Pudding

Asked by Mel77. Answered on 16th November 2016

Full question

I made the Ultimate Christmas Pudding recipe last year and split it into two pudding basins. When I printed the recipe on the vodka ingredient, for flaming, was printed on the second page. Not reading the instructions closely enough I put the vodka into the mixture too. I don't think it made any appreciative difference and in fact we all loved the puddings so much I am making another batch in a couple of weeks. The only problem is, do I put the vodka into the mixture or not? I took a straw poll, and most of the family has said that I should put it in. I've never really like Christmas pudding, but this recipe has converted me. Thank you Nigella for saving my Christmas again (along with brining the turkey!).

Our answer

Nigella's Ultimate Christmas Pudding (from NIGELLA CHRISTMAS) uses fruits that have been steeped in Pedro Ximenez sherry. This plumps up the fruits and, as well as being a flavourful addition, the alcohol helps to preserve the pudding. Nigella flames her pudding with vodka as the high alcohol content of the vodka means that it will burn well, though you could use the more traditional brandy or whisky instead. If you add the vodka to the pudding by mistake then it is unlikely to affect the pudding as vodka is flavourless and the extra alcohol will not affect the keeping qualities of the pudding.

We would not particularly recommend adding vodka to the pudding batter, however if your family enjoyed the pudding with vodka last year then we see no reason why you should not add it again to give your own twist on the Christmas Pudding. If you have any leftover pudding then you could consider making Nigella's Christmas Puddini Bonbons to enjoy for new year. The traditional day to make Christmas Pudding is Stir-Up Sunday, which this year is Sunday, 20th November 2016.