Wine Writing Team on October 19, 2020 0 Comments The holidays are upon us. You may look forward to the holidays and count down the days until you can put up the tree and host festive gatherings. Or you may dread the holidays and wish you could avoid the hustle and bustle and small talk with family members that you see once a year. In either case, wine cocktails are perfect for the season! So, grab your favorite Christmas mug or fancy glass and get ready to pour yourself a glass of holiday cheer. Mulled Wine Mulled wine is a holiday classic and an easy go-to cocktail. Just combine your favorite bottle of red wine with some orange slices, holiday spices and brandy and let it simmer on the stove. It’s relaxing and cozy whether enjoyed alone, catching up with relatives, or to add warmth to your holiday gathering. Ingredients: 1 (750-ml.) bottle red wine 1 orange, sliced into rounds, plus more for garnish 6 whole cloves 3 cinnamon sticks, plus more for garnish 3 star anise 1/4 c. honey 1/2 c. brandy How to Make Mulled Wine Jingle Juice Get your friends and family together for some good old-fashioned caroling or make up a batch to get through your evening of gift-wrapping. A red Moscato, hint of bubbles, sugar on the rim and mint for garnish bring the flavors in this wine cocktail together in perfect harmony. Singing Jingle Bells is sure to be way more fun with Jingle Juice – whether you’re caroling down the street or belting it out alone listening to your favorite holiday playlist. Ingredients: 4 c. Cran-Apple Juice 2 (750-ml.) bottles red Moscato 1 (750-ml.) bottle Prosecco 1/2 c. vodka 2 c. frozen cranberries 1/3 c. mint leaves 1/2 c. granulated sugar, for rimming glasses 2 limes, sliced into rounds How to make Jingle Juice Holiday Wine Punch If you’re dreaming of a white wine Christmas, then mix up a batch of this holiday wine punch. It’s a great option for white-white lovers and a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to mix up and serve at any holiday dinner party. Ingredients 1 bottle white wine 3 cups cranberry-raspberry cocktail 2 cups apple juice 1 cup cranberries Blood orange soda, to top (optional) How to make white wine punch Foggy Dew This Irish take on eggnog is a must-do for any holiday gathering. It’s fun, festive, and a great segue when the holiday party conversation starts to dull…or gets heated! It’s best served in a chilled mug. Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey, preferably 12-year-old 1 ounce Jamaican rum 1 ounce Pedro Ximénez sherry 1 1/2 ounces chilled half-and-half 1/2 ounce Vanilla Simple Syrup 1 large egg Ice Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish How to make the Foggy Dew Red Wine Hot Chocolate If the weather outside is frightful, inside it will be so delightful with a cup of red wine hot chocolate to wrap your hands around as you cozy up on the couch with your favorite blanket and Hallmark movie. Because of its rich decadence, this drink is best served as a dessert in a small mug. Try one of these 8 Strong Red Wines for Holidays in the recipe. Sweeten the deal by adding whipped cream and crushed peppermint on top. Ingredients: 2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips 2/3 cup red wine 1/2 cup milk 2 tablespoons sugar, optional Pinch of salt How to make Red Wine Hot Chocolate Get ahead of the inevitable holiday stress by buying and storing the wine ahead of time so you can avoid the last-minute holiday rush at the store. Store your wines in a wine refrigerator so they’re ready and at the ideal temperature when it’s time to make your cocktail. Then you can enjoy them while you deck the halls and wait for Santa Claus to come to town. Happy Holidays!
