Depending on the season, many of us prefer different drinks. For wine drinkers, for example, crisp white wines in the summer and big bold wines in winter. Cocktails can also change depending on the season. I received a few mulled cocktail recipes via email that I would like to pass along to you to enjoy over the holidays and the winter season. Enjoy.
Mulled Cabernet Merlot Hot Chocolate
Hot cocoa, but better! The cocoa and spice aromas in Sumac Ridge Private Reserve Cabernet Merlot add up to the cinnamon and anise making this one of the best mulled wines you’ve ever had.
Serves 6-8
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4-star anise
- 8-10 cloves
- ½ teaspoon dried ginger
- 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup soft brown sugar
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 bottle (750ml) Sumac Ridge Private Reserve Cabernet Merlot
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- a few orange slices to decorate
Add cocoa powder, cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger and chocolate chips to a large saucepan. Pour in the water, then add the sugar and orange slices. Heat on medium heat, occasionally stirring until the sugar has dissolved, then turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour in the red wine. Heat gently for another minute or two until warmed through.
Mulled Jackson-Triggs Riesling
This mulled Riesling cocktail is perfect for those who don’t usually drink warm red wines. The relatively sweet Jackson-Triggs 2019 Grand Reserve Riesling offers fruity and floral aromas while taming the alcoholic mouthfeel.
Serves 6
- 750 ml bottle Jackson-Triggs 2019 Grand Reserve Riesling
- 20 ml Vanilla Liqueur
- 1,5 cinnamon sticks
- 1 apple
- 1 pear
- 1/2 grapefruit
- 3 cm knob of ginger
- 1-3 teaspoons honey
Add Riesling and vanilla liqueur to slow cooker. Slice apples and pear, take out seeds and cut them into 1 1cm rounds. Add fruits and peeled ginger to the slow cooker. Remove zest from grapefruit, and add to the pan with cinnamon sticks and honey. Cover and simmer for an hour. Serve warm.
Warm Cranberry Pear Cider
Growers Juicy Bartlett Pear makes this warm cranberry and pear warm cider juicy and easy drinking.
Serves 8
- 2 (473 ml) cans Growers Juicy Bartlett Pear Cider
- 5 pears quartered
- 1/2 orange quartered
- 1 cup cranberries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/3 nutmeg
- 8 cloves
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 cups water
Push the cloves into the orange rind.
Add pears, orange, cranberries and spices to a large slow cooker. Add water. Cover and set to high for 2 hours.
After about one and half hours in, mash all the ingredients with a whisk and add the Growers Juicy Bartlett Pear Cider. Continue to cook for one more hour. When finished cooking, strain all solids and add maple syrup. To serve, garnish with orange and pear slices, cranberries and cinnamon sticks.
