Drinks with Anna by Anna Tusa
Dreaming of Christmas Markets and Holiday Cocktails
I MISS HOLIDAY TRAVEL, and especially the beloved Christmas markets that pop up in Europe this time of year. Nothing gets you in the spirit like walking around these markets with a warm holiday cocktail, smelling the delicious aromas of traditional Christmas fare, and seeing all the smiling faces of vendors selling their cheese, sweets, and hand made goods. So, with this mind I wanted to re-create these festive memories at home this Holiday season. Our first stop on the holiday drinking-around-the-world tour is the Christmas market in Nuremburg, Germany, home to the famous Gluhwein – German mulled wine. This traditional German drink made by pouring red wine into a bowl heated bowl. (Think of our crawfish boil pot set up.) A metal grate is then placed over the top of the bowl and a rum soaked sugar cube is placed on top; and set on fire to caramelize into the wine. This is so amazing to see in person. Let us re-create this drink at home on your stove top or crock pot. 62
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GLUHWEIN: HOT SPICED WINE 2 bottles red wine (inexpensive; use a full-bodied wine like a Syrah or Malbec) 3 star anise 6 cinnamon sticks 2 cloves Pinch of nutmeg 2 oranges zested 10 oz apple cider
Allow the above ingredients to simmer on low heat to infuse spices with the wine and apple cider. Next once everything has infused add 10 oz of brandy still using low heat. To serve ladle into a festive glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange slice. And the best part—leftovers can be refrigerated for up to three days and re-heated on low heat. Next up, we travel to Italy for the Bombardino: Italian Egg Nog. This drink mixes brandy and alcoholic egg-based zabaglione to create an orange
“bomb.” It is is famous in Christmas markets of Northern Italy, and ski slopes in the Italian Alps. This drink is super easy to make at home.
BOMBARDINO: ITALIAN EGG NOG 40 ml brandy 80 ml Advocaat or Zabov Zabaglione egg liqueur (if you can’t find this, use your favorite eggnog) Whipped cream Ground cinnamon Gently warm the egg liqueur in a pan, but do not boil. Pour the brandy into a glass mug. Pour the warm eggy liqueur into the glass and stir. Pipe in whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon. Our next stop France, and the Christmas market on the Champs Elysees where we will sip Vin Chaud: French Mulled Wine. This is also a favorite in the Christmas markets along the Rhine River in the Alsace region of France.
