It’s time to cozy up to the fire with a book in one hand and a glass in the other. Want some new ideas for what to pour into that glass? Check out the following concoctions—each of which lends a certain mood and flavor to New England’s snowy days.
Irish Coffee
Makes 1 drink
1 c. freshly brewed hot coffee
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 ½ oz. Irish whiskey
Heavy cream, slightly whipped
Pour piping hot coffee into warmed glass until it is about 3/4 full. Add brown sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Blend in Irish whiskey. Top with a collar of whipped heavy cream by pouring gently over back of spoon. Serve hot.
Maple Bourbon Cider
Makes 1 Drink
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Photo by Trace Benjamin4 oz. bourbon
3/4 c. apple cider
1 tbsp. maple syrup
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Cayenne pepper (optional)
Pour bourbon, cider, syrup, and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker. Shake and pour over ice. Sprinkle with cayenne, if desired.
Swedish Grögg ?
Makes 8 drinks
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Photo by Anders Lanzen3 c. 190 proof Everclear
4 ½ c. distilled water
2 c. sugar (optional: crystal sugar made from beets)
4 cinnamon sticks
6 cloves
18 cardamom seeds
15 raw almonds
Combine alcohol, water, and sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Add the remaining spices and heat covered over medium heat until the mixture just comes to a boil. Remove from the heat and ignite, burn for 5 seconds, then let the mixture cool. Pour into bottles and add 1 cinnamon stick and a few almonds to each bottle. Let bottles rest. (Flavor deepens with time.)
Mulled White Sangria
Makes 12 drinks
1 c. water
1/2 c. honey
Zest of 2 lemons, cut into long strips
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice 4 whole star anise
4 cinnamon sticks
12 whole cloves
2 bottles dry white wine
1 c. orange Muscat
1 Golden Delicious apple, cored, halved, and thinly sliced
1 Bartlett pear, cored, halved, and thinly sliced
2 lemons, thinly sliced crosswise
12 kumquats, thinly sliced crosswise
Bring water, honey, lemon zest and juice, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes.? Heat spice mixture and wines in a large pot over low heat until heated through. Add fruit, and divide among mugs. ?
Eggnog Martini
Makes 1 drink
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Photo by Brenda Ellis2 ½ oz. eggnog
1 oz. vanilla vodka
¾ oz. Amaretto
Combine ingredients in shaker and shake over ice. Strain into chilled martini glass. Dust with freshly grated nutmeg or cinnamon.
Image Credits: Photo by Photographyalive.