There are occasions that take the romantic concept of an evening by the fire to the next level, such as Bonfire Night, an autumn celebration beloved by the British people.
Every 5th of November, a convivial occasion with important historical roots is celebrated, during which the evening is illuminated by bonfires and fireworks, and enriched with delicious dishes and unmissable treats.
In anticipation of the brightest night of the year, here's a guide to the best drinks for Bonfire Night!
Remember, remember the fifth of November: the origins of Bonfire Night
With its jovial and convivial atmosphere, it seems impossible to think that Bonfire Night is the celebration of a defeat. Yet that's exactly what it is!
On the night between 4th and 5th November 1605, the soldier Guy Fawkes took part in a conspiracy against James I, the then King of England. The conspirators' intent was to end the policies of oppression against Catholics by killing the king and blowing up Parliament. What would become known as the Gunpowder Plot was foiled on 5th November, when Guy Fawkes was found in possession of 36 barrels of gunpowder and arrested.
The averted disaster was celebrated with the Thanksgiving Act, a law that established a religious feast on 5th November every year, a tradition that is still celebrated today in most of the United Kingdom under the name Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night.
Among fireworks, shows, parades and large bonfires on which Guy Fawkes's effigy is traditionally burnt, there's no shortage of opportunities to fill one's stomach with delicious street food, served at local stalls: baked potatoes, jacket potatoes, sausages, toffee, toffee apples and treacle tarts, all accompanied by cocktails, various types of wine and the ever-present mulled wine!
Mulled wine: how to prepare the great classic of Bonfire Night
The guide to recipes and wine for the bonfire night dinner cannot begin without a brief introduction to one of the most appreciated drinks of this celebration: mulled wine. This spiced beverage of ancient origin (it's thought to have been popular amongst the Greeks) is typical of the Christmas traditions of Continental Europe, but is much appreciated on all those occasions when one fancies a warm treat. That's why it fits perfectly during the cold evening of Bonfire Night!
With its spiced and vinous notes and slightly sweet-bitter aftertaste, this drink pairs wonderfully with the typical sweets of this celebration, starting with parkin cake, an oat and treacle gingerbread that harmonises with this wine thanks to the spices used in the mixture. Excellent also with toffee apples, pudding and chocolate treats, mulled wine doesn't disdain savoury dishes either, especially those based on creamy or very flavourful cheeses, as well as with red meat dishes that are extremely popular during dinners or amongst the stalls at Bonfire Night!
To prepare it at home, there are various recipes depending on tradition, but generally speaking, one proceeds as follows to obtain a bowl for about 4 people:
- 1 litre of wine
- 150g of sugar
- 10 cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- The zest of 1 orange
- The zest of 1 lemon
- 1 apple
- 1 star anise
In a large saucepan, mix the sugar with the spices and citrus zests with the heat off, then add the apple cut into wedges or rounds and finally the wine. Turn on the heat and boil for about 5 minutes, taking care that the sugar dissolves well. Being very careful (it's best to keep any flammable objects away), set fire to the surface of the liquid, so that part of the alcohol evaporates.
It's essential to start with a quality wine, a red with good structure but not overly aggressive tannins, with a soft taste, a well-recognisable aromatic texture and perhaps with a decent residual sugar content. Within this category, one can find, for example, a Lambrusco or a Sangiovese, a Barbera, or a Zinfandel or a Syrah, the latter perfect precisely for their spiced texture. A Pinot Nero Alto Adige DOC 2023 is also excellent, characterised by rich aromas of morello cherry, raspberry and blueberry, moderate tannins and a pleasantly fruity sip.
Wines and sparkling wines: labels to try for this celebration
Those who want to celebrate this evening with the right spirit cannot miss a hot, steaming cup of mulled wine, but traditional celebrations include various other drinks for Guy Fawkes Night. To accompany the most beloved dishes, the wine panorama offers an enormous range of labels, all to be discovered!
The Bonfire Night dinner: traditional recipes and wine pairing
Whether served from street stalls or at home, the traditional dishes of Bonfire Night are a warm treat for stomach and palate, soft, enveloping and decidedly nourishing, perfect for the autumn period heading towards winter.
Among the most widespread recipes are jacket potatoes, potatoes cooked in foil in the oven (it's also traditional to throw them among the embers of bonfires) and subsequently filled with butter and cheese. The soft texture and natural sweetness of the vegetable mixes with the savouriness of melted cheese, calling for a red or white wine with good structure but a fresh and tangy aftertaste.
Excellent for cutting through the greasy component of the dish is an oak-aged Chardonnay, such as a Sebastiani California Chardonnay 2022. Characterised by a beautiful golden yellow colour, this Californian interpretation shows off captivating hints of apple, yellow peach and lemon, matured thanks to ageing in wood. On the palate it's satisfying and creamy, with pastry notes and a woody aftertaste that lends itself very well to this pairing.
However, there's no shortage of opportunities to retrieve an excellent red from the cellar, thanks to the typical meat dishes of Bonfire Night: sausage rolls, bangers & mash, hot dogs, burgers, pork pie and much more. These intensely flavoured dishes need to be accompanied by a feisty wine, but with a slightly tangy aftertaste. A Barbera – the label chosen is this "Roreto" Barbera d'Alba DOC 2023 – possesses all the requirements. This Piedmont wine brings violet hues and an intense bouquet of red fruits, undergrowth and spices to the glass. In the mouth it offers a fresh and juicy sip, with excellent drinkability.
Parkin, candy floss, toffee apples and wine: the best wines for traditional sweets
After the savoury nibbles and main courses, the typical sweets of this celebration complete the menu, accompanied by mulled wine or other dessert wines for Bonfire Night, to be enjoyed whilst strolling through the city streets or chatting at home with friends.
Among the delights that enrich this traditional celebration, the most iconic preparation is Parkin Cake, a spiced cake based on gingerbread, oat flour and black treacle. The spiced and deep flavour is perfect to pair with both a cup of mulled wine and a sweet label, even better if the latter possesses an equally spiced organoleptic texture.
For a perfect pairing between dessert and wine for Bonfire Night, a Moscato Giallo Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2023 is excellent, characterised by a golden yellow appearance and captivating aromas of white peach, citrus, elderflower, lemon balm, nutmeg and other spices with a sweet tendency, all balanced by a fresh and harmoniously tangy note on the palate.
There's also no shortage of small sweet treats. The pairing between toffee apples, sweets, candy floss and wine calls for an after-dinner product that's refreshing and lively. Hence one can appreciate a bottle of Spumante Asti DOCG, sweet but also brisk, thanks to its fine perlage. The aromatic profile offers hints of tropical fruit, honey and aromatic herbs to the nose, amongst them sage, whilst the taste is fruity and sweet. A lively sparkler that represents one of the best sweet wines for Bonfire Night!
Bonfire Night cocktails: taste, originality and freshness
Fresh and hot wines aren't the only options to enchant the palate with something good to drink, but there are also various drink recipes for Bonfire Night, such as the hot Irish Coffee and Hot Toddy.
Invented in 1943 by barman Joe Sheridan to warm up the passengers of a transatlantic flight, Irish Coffee is the perfect drink for celebratory evenings, as it warms the palate, conquers it with the soft notes of Irish whiskey and also gives a burst of energy thanks to the coffee, all enriched with a cream topping. Less indulgent but still delicious is the Hot Toddy, devised by the doctor Robert Bentley Todd in the 19th century, who recommended it to patients as a tonic. Composed of Irish whiskey, hot water, honey syrup, cinnamon, cloves and orange zest, it could be considered a strong version of mulled wine, unmissable during the cold evening dedicated to the defeat of Guy Fawkes!
Get ready for Bonfire Night celebrations with the right wines. Explore the Svinando catalogue and stock up for 5th November!