issue 10// vol 48 life & style // no. 13

 

Very Merry Mulled Wine

This cocktail can be served hot to fight off the winter chill or enjoyed cold by

friends and family at a dinner party.
Ingredients:

¢ 7 bottle of red wine

° 3 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey
¢ 4 whole cloves

e 2 cinnamon sticks

¢ 3 star anise

e 7 large orange

¢ 3 shots of Triple Sec or Cointreau

© Garnish: Cranberries, orange rounds or twists, star anise, cinnamon sticks

You'll need a bottle of red wine, any fuller-bodied wine will do but | would
recommend a Cabernet Sauvignon. Pour the bottle into a pot; take an
orange and slice it in half, juice one half and slice the other one into thin,
even rounds and add them to the pot. Next add honey or maple syrup,
depending on personal preference. Throw in the cinnamon sticks, cloves
and star anise for some spice and add either Triple Sec or Cointreau for a
stronger orange flavour. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and then reduce
the heat immediately, let it cook on low heat for five to ten minutes; the
longer it cooks, the spicier it'll get. If you want the chilled version, skip the
cooking and mix the drink in a pitcher or jug and keep chilled until serving.
As for garnishes, there are quite a few options, including fresh cranberries,
orange rounds or twists, extra star anise, or cinnamon sticks.

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet & Spicy Hot Cocoa

While this might not be your traditional cocktail, it’s

a delightfully sweet treat that can be made with or

without liquor so everyone can enjoy it.

Ingredients:

° 1 cup of milk

°2 tbsp hot chocolate powder

e 1 tbsp brown sugar

° %4 tsp cinnamon

° 2 tsp nutmeg

° 4 tsp ground ginger

¢ Pinch of cayenne pepper

¢ Pinch of salt

° 2 oz of Spiced Rum

° Garnish: Marshmallows, whip cream, caramel
sauce

Warm milk in a small pot on low heat and then mix
in the hot chocolate powder and brown sugar. Next,
mix in the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cayenne
pepper, salt and stir well for a few minutes to
incorporate the flavours. Remove the pot from the
heat and add in your favourite spiced rum (| would
choose Captain .,

Morgan) and
mix well.
Transfer the
hot cocoa into
cute mugs
and top with
whip cream,
marshmallows
and caramel
sauce if you
want to go the
extra mile.

Cookies n’ Irish Cream Cocktail

Here's a drink that blends the sweet yet smoothness of Irish Cream Pie
and the richness of coffee into a decadent cocktail.

Ingredients:

° % cup of Irish Cream

° % cup of cold coffee

° %4 cup of milk

° %4 cup of vanilla vodka

elce

° Garnish: Honey and pre-made shortbread cookies

To create a fun rim garnish, crumble up a shortbread cookie onto a
shallow plate and pour some honey onto a different plate. Dip the
glasses upside down onto the plates so the rim first gets coated in
honey and then shortbread crumbs, then put them aside. Pour your
lrish Cream (I recommend Baileys Original), vanilla vodka, milk, and
coffee into a cocktail shaker and top off with ice. A leak-proof water
bottle also works for those of us who don't own cocktail shakers. Shake
well and strain into the decorated glasses.

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Cranberry Cocktail

If you prefer a more simple and sophisticated drink, give this classic a
try this winter.

Ingredients:

° 2.5 oz of premium vodka

° 1 oz of cranberry liquor

° Garnish: Fresh cranberries, a sprig of mint

Add ice to a mixing glass, pour in the vodka and cranberry liquor and
stir vigorously. For those who prefer their drinks on the sweeter side,
you can add cranberry juice or simple syrup to taste. As this cocktail is
made of very few ingredients, it's important to choose a higher-quality
vodka. | would suggest Haku Vodka for its lighter, refreshing notes.
After stirring, strain your drink into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish
with fresh cranberries and mint.