Cocktails for the Season

Get cozy from the inside out with these winter warmers.

by Kim Krieger

Seafarer’s Cider

This classic is infused with one of the most underrated spices around: cardamom. If you haven’t fallen in love with cardamom, there has never been a better time! One recipe serves two; increase the spice/juice ratio for as many servings as needed.

INGREDIENTS

3 1/2 cups opaque apple juice (freshpressed is a real treat if you can find it!)

18 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed

3-inch cinnamon stick, broken into pieces with the flat side of a chef’s knife

2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled, thinly sliced

6 allspice berries

6 cloves brandy, to taste (optional)

2 cinnamon sticks to garnish

1. In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, stir occasionally as you bring the cider and spices to a boil. Once your mixture reaches a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, stirring occasionally as it simmers. Once reduced by half (this should take around 8-10 mins.), remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 5 min., or longer depending on your affinity for spice (the longer the better for me!).

2. Once steeped, strain cider through a fine mesh sieve, pressing the solids to get as much flavour out as possible. Let the mixture cool completely and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days, or rinse the saucepan and return the spiced cider to it to warm back up for serving.

3. Once warmed until just barely simmering, divide the warm cider between two mugs, add brandy to taste, and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Mulliganed Wine

A staple at countless winter gatherings, glogg, Glühwein, or caribou to our Quebecois friends, mulled wine is my go-to when I need to simultaneously warm up and to instantly up my home’s cozy quotient. This one is unique in that it hearkens back to Scandinavian glogg, which is fortified by vodka or aquavit and garnished with raisins and flaked almonds.

INGREDIENTS

1 orange 1 bottle red wine (a jammy, full-bodied shiraz is a good choice here)

1 cup white sugar, divided into two halves

10 cardamom pods

5 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

3, ¼-inch-thick slices peeled fresh ginger

1/3 cup raisins

1/3 cup flaked almonds

½ cup vodka or aquavit, if available

1. Remove zest from the orange in large strips, being careful to avoid the bitter white pith. Save the flesh for another recipe or a snack.

2. In a large saucepan, add the zest, wine, ½ cup of sugar, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, raisins, and almonds. Warm gently over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture starts to steam. Ensure it does not boil at any point.

3. Once warm, take a taste. Use the remaining sugar to sweeten to your liking, then ladle into a dainty teacup, being sure to include the raisins and almonds for an authentic Scandinavian treat. Skål!

Fairwinds Hot Rum Toddy

This is not your average hot toddy recipe. We’ve replaced the typical bourbon with rum, and the liquor and additional ingredients are mixed together first before adding the hot water, so that you get the most flavour possible out of it all.

INGREDIENTS

5 - 6 whole cloves

1 large piece ginger preserved in syrup

1 tsp syrup from jar of ginger wedge of lemon

2 oz Sailor Jerry Rum hot water

lemon wheel to garnish

1. Add first five ingredients to a sturdy glass and, using a muddler, break down lemon wedge and spices. Leave ingredients to infuse for 10 minutes, then mix again and strain into mug for serving.

2. Pour 4 oz of barely simmering water over the strained mixture and mix gently. Garnish with a lemon wheel on the edge of the mug. Winter comfort in liquid form!