Tired of the same drinks? This Christmas is time to try something beyond a glass of wine or a cocktail.
We present you the: wine-cocktails. Exactly as its name suggests, this is an eclectic blend of both wines and cocktails, teasing your taste buds with new flavours that you’ve never experienced before.
They are great for anyone who needs a dose of new and unfamiliar every once in a while
AsiaImportNews has put together 6 of the best wine-cocktails that will satisfy those cravings, and yes, we guarantee they’re also extremely delicious!
1 The Star Gazer
Work this mixture you’ll need your favorite Chardonnay, and some Rum, the candied citrus and pears from the wine balancing the depth of the rum seamlessly. Add this to vanilla syrup, pineapple juice and a lime wedge, and be delighted by the results!
What you need
60ml Chardonnay
30ml Rum
15ml vanilla bean syrup
15ml pineapple juice
What you do:
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake and strain into a glass.
2 The Marasca Fizz
From soft to fancy – the sparkling cocktail boasts a host of ingredients. The champagne is creamy, lively and pleasant, with a persistent and complex aftertaste.
What you need
3 Cherries
Superfine sugar
2 Brown sugar cubes
3 dashes of bitters
15ml Cherry
100ml chilled champagne
What to do
-
Moisten the outer rim of a flute with 1/2 ounce of the maraschino cherry syrup, then coat with superfine sugar.
2. Put the sugar cubes in the flute.
3.Add the bitters, Cherry, maraschino cherries and the remaining 15ml of cherry syrup.
4.Stir in the Champagne.
3 The Yuletide Moon
This red wine and whisky concoction may seem like a one-way ticket to drunken oblivion, but hear us out. This drink is fiery, but manages to be fruity enough to make it a perfect drink to enjoy on a summery day. Surprised? Add that little extra bit of punch with lemon, and you’ve got a drink that is both potent and refreshing.
What you need
4 pitted bing cherries
15ml simple syrup
45ml Night Harvest Marlot
30ml bourbon
Garnish: one wheel slice of lemon and fresh nutmeg to grind
What to do
In a mixing glass, muddle the cherries (if not pitted, just remove pits after muddling). Add simple syrup, merlot, bourbon and lemon slice. Top with ice to 2/3 full and shake lightly. Empty entire contents into a 10.5 ounce old fashioned glass. Top with grated nutmeg.
4 The Ginger and Lemon white wine cocktail
Melding the sweet with a touch of spicy aftertaste from the ginger, this recipe hits the nail when it comes down to giving you a wide range of flavors in just one taste. The Vinha das Servas White is a perfect pairing to the Pisco Sour, a cocktail from South America that combines base liquor to sour citrus juice and sweet components. Trust us on this one; you’re going to want more than one glass.
What you need
1 cup Apothic White
45ml fresh-squeezed lemon juice
30ml Pisco
30ml ginger simple syrup*
What to do
Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 20 seconds. Strain over a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge or candied ginger.
*How to make Ginger Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons chopped ginger
Preparation: Bring sugar and water to a boil for a few minutes, then add in the ginger. Continue to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the ginger infuse in the syrup for 20 minutes. Strain the simple syrup through a sieve and into a bottle to save!
5 Francophile
This classic mix is engendered when you mix a cider spirit with cinnamon syrup and lemon juice, and a Rioja Wine. The palate of the wine displays rich plum, dark cherry fruit and warm spices, exceptionally fresh to the senses. Perfect to drink to up the mood during a lazy day!
What you need
30ml cider spirit
45ml Rioja wine
15ml Cinnamon Syrup*
5 – 10ml Lemon juice
90ml Water
Garnish:
1 Apple slice
Cinnamon stick
What to do
1. Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat until hot.
3. Pour into a thick-walled mug and garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.
*How to make Cinnamon Syrup
2 to 3 Cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
150ml Sugar
150ml Water
Preparation: Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low and simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for at least 6 hours. Strain, and store in the refrige.
6 Blackberry vodka sangria
This drink is superb to enjoy with your Christmas dessert, what with the blend of fresh blackberries, orange slices and lime slices combined with the vibrant and fresh tastes in the blackberry vodka. Add your favourite Cabernet Sauvignon to the mix and you’ve got a brilliant mix of fruity goodness that is to die for.
What you need
1 cup fresh blackberries
1 cup water
3 tablespoons sugar (or more to taste)
1 bottle sweet red wine
½ cup Blackberry Vodka
Orange slices, lime slices, and/or fresh blackberries
What to do
- Place 1 cup of blackberries, water, and sugar in small saucepan over high heat. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat, simmer about 10-15 minutes or until blackberries are very soft.
2. Strain liquid several times and discard fruit. Pour into pitcher.
3. Add wine and vodka. Add orange slices, lime slices, and blackberries as desired.
4. Cover and refrigerate at least a few hours but overnight is desired.
5. Serve over ice and garnish with additional fruit as desired.
Enjoy a totally new drinking experience this Christmas! And for those who never thought about mixing things up, hopefully you’ve begun to think about experimenting now. Check out these recipes and let us know what you think!
