8 minute read
Winter Cocktails
Seasonal Sips
Winter is the time of year when cocktails play the role of warming us up instead of cooling us down. The flavours are richer, deeper and darker, filling the palate with soothing, full bodied and comforting aromas and tastes. Dark spirits like whiskies, rum and Cognac are the order of the day in winter, as the time spent mellowing in oak barrels imbues the spirit with smooth, complex and spicy characters which lay a solid foundation to a good winter cocktail.
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Winter cocktails tend to be more spirit driven, allowing the warming nature of the spirit to play a role in soothing the soul. Additional ingredients like aromatic spices, dried fruits, seasonal orchard fruits like pears and apples, stone-fruits like plums, and apricots and sweeteners like honey, syrups and sweet sherries can all add delicious richness to a winter warming cocktail.
RECIPES BEN DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHY RYAN STUART GLASSWARE RSN AUSTRALIA
SMOKY TEA OLD FASHIONED
GLASS: Old Fashioned glass
INGREDIENTS: 45ml Lagavulin 16 Year Old Scotch Whisky 15ml Heering Cherry liqueur 30ml Lapsang souchong tea 1 x Dash Aromatic bitters 1 x Sugar cube
METHOD: Place sugar cube and bitters in the bottom of a mixing glass and muddle with a spoon. Add remaining ingredients and stir with ice. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass with a large ice sphere or ice cubes
GARNISH: Maraschino cherries
ANTIPODES FLIP
GLASS: Short cocktail glass
INGREDIENTS: 45ml Bundaberg Master Distillers Blenders Edition Rum 15ml MONIN Spicy Mango syrup 1 x Egg white and yolk 1 x Pinch sea salt
METHOD: Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a short cocktail glass
GARNISH: Sliver of dried mango and grated nutmeg
HOT BUTTERED SCOTCH
GLASS: Short stemmed glass
INGREDIENTS: 45ml Johnnie Walker Green Label Whisky 10ml MONIN Salted Caramel syrup 90ml Hot water 1 x Knob Salted butter ½ x Tsp. Herbie’s fragrant sweet spice
METHOD: Stir together in a short stemmed glass
GARNISH: Serve with shortbread biscuits
The Winter Warmer
GLASS: Tall glass
INGREDIENTS: 45ml The Singleton Whisky 10ml Triple sec 20ml Fresh lemon juice 10ml MONIN Gingerbread syrup 60ml Ginger beer
METHOD: Add ingredients to tall glass and filled with ice
GARNISH: Fresh mint sprig and lemon wedge GLASS: Balloon glass
INGREDIENTS: 30ml Talisker Storm Single Malt Whisky 15ml Esprit de Figues liqueur 90ml Mulled wine*
METHOD: Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and pour into a balloon glass
GARNISH: Star anise
*How To Make Mulled Wine Pour one bottle of red wine into a saucepan. Add 100gm caster sugar, juice of one orange, one split vanilla pod, one cinnamon quill, two star anise, four cardamom pods. Slowly bring to a simmer and then turn off the heat and let cool
CINNAMON PEAR SOUR
GLASS: Coupette glass
INGREDIENTS: 60ml Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey 15ml Fresh lemon juice 30ml Pear juice or puree 10ml MONIN Cinnamon syrup 10ml Egg white
METHOD: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a coupette glass
GARNISH: Cinnamon quill
PENICILLIN
GLASS: Old Fashioned glass
INGREDIENTS: 45ml Johnnie Walker Gold Label Whiksy 15ml Lagavulin 16 Year Old Scotch Whisky 30ml Fresh lemon juice 15ml MONIN Lemon Ginger & Honey syrup
METHOD: Shake with ice and strain into an Old Fashioned glass filled with ice. Float the Lagavulin on top
GARNISH: Candied ginger
TIP: Wondering what float means? This is when you slowly pour liquid over the back of the spoon and on top of the drink
RUM & RAISIN ESPRESSO MARTINI
GLASS: Martini glass
INGREDIENTS: 30ml Ron Zacapa XO 30ml Pedro Ximenez sherry 30ml Cold drip coffee
METHOD: Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass
GARNISH: Skewered raisins
HONEY GINGER TODDY
GLASS: Ceramic cup
INGREDIENTS: 45ml Johnnie Walker Gold Label Whisky 15ml MONIN Lemon Ginger & Honey syrup 10ml Fresh lemon juice 90ml Hot water
METHOD: Add ingredients to a ceramic cup
GARNISH: Slice of ginger root and ginger snap biscuits
WINTER SOLSTICE
GLASS: Old Fashioned glass
INGREDIENTS: 40ml Highland Park 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky 20ml Sloe Gin 10ml Jägermeister 1 x Dash of orange bitters
METHOD: Stir down in a crystal glass and strain over a large ice cube in an Old Fashioned glass
GARNISH: Orange peel twist
BRANDY
Changing of the Guard
Can we call it a comeback… Brandy has been warming the souls and pleasing the palates for centuries. For reasons unknown to us, brandy never seems to be in vogue, however that’s about to change. Word on the street is brandy is back and it’s what the Don Drapers’ of this era are drinking.
PHOTOGRAPHY STEPHEN WALTON GLASSWARE RSN AUSTRALIA
Not sure where to start with brandy? Let us guide you. Synonymous with Australia, St. Agnes brandy was created when Dr. William Angove developed a new style that was lighter and more delicate. It’s soft, slightly sweet oak afterflavours complement the clean, yet full flavoured palates of these fruit-based drinks. St. Agnes’ clean, dry style, and depth of flavour ensures that this brandy is as suitable neat, or with a little ice and water, as it is in a variety of cocktails.
It’s time to push the dusty stereotype aside; brandy is awaiting, it’s ready to shine and be the hero in your home bar. And the best part - Brandy is a drink for all occasions, whether it’s unwinding after a long day, post meal, or sitting around the table reminiscing with mates.
Brandy Cocktails
Now that we know a little more about brandy, here’s our top three brandy cocktails to try this winter. SAINT CRUSTA
GLASS: Short stemmed cocktail glass
INGREDIENTS: 45ml St. Agnes XO Brandy 15ml Dry curacao 5ml Maraschino 20ml Fresh lemon juice 2 x Dashes Aromatic bitters
METHOD: Shake with ice and strain into a sugar rimmed cocktail glass
GARNISH: Lemon peel
WINTER SIDECAR
GLASS: Martini
INGREDIENTS: 45ml St. Agnes XO Brandy 15ml Cointreau Noir 30ml Fresh lemon juice 10ml Cinnamon agave syrup
METHOD: Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass
GARNISH: Cinnamon quill
ST. AGNES SAZERAC
GLASS: Old Fashioned glass
INGREDIENTS: 60ml St. Agnes XO Brandy 10ml Sugar syrup 4 x Dashes Peychaud’s bitters 1 x Dash Angostura bitters 1 x Bps. Pernod Absinthe
METHOD: Stir down with ice and strain into a chilled crystal Old Fashioned glass
GARNISH: Lemon peel
The Perfect Serve
THIS WINTER
Winter is a time when people have a tendency to stay indoors and wait for the winter solstice to arrive, signalling that the warmer days ahead are getting closer. To many, it is the season of blankets, soups, and when a tropical holiday is never far from the mind.
The Swedes, however, embrace winter in a unique fashion, welcoming it with open arms. For them, the season is more about slowing down, getting together with friends and catching up after a busy summer. It’s a time to get cosy and catch up with friends, and what better drink to do it with than a warm cider.
Rekorderlig Spiced Äpple is the ideal drink for the winter days, made with a blend of the finest apples infused with cinnamon and vanilla, and is, of course, perfect to share. Served warm and garnished with a slice of orange, it engages the senses and brings a little sunshine to the cooler months.
So find a comfy chair, saddle up and settle into some good conversation with friends over a warm Rekorderlig Spiced Äpple Cider this winter. Embrace the Swede in you and don’t shun the colder months, get cosy, catch up with friends and make the most of the cooler days.
While the Rekorderlig Spiced Äpple is delicious on its own, why not try these cider cocktails and add some spice to your winter.
THE REKORDERLIG COSY SPICED PEAR COCKTAIL - AKA “THE COSY”
GLASS: Heatproof glass or cup
INGREDIENTS: 150ml Rekorderlig Spiced Äpple Cider 30ml Spiced Rum 1.5 Tsp. Pear puree 1 x Dash of Australian Bitters 1 x Egg White
METHOD: Mix all of the ingredients together, except the cider. Gently heat the cider and pour into the mixed ingredients. Gently stir and pour into a heatproof glass
THE CUNNING FOX
GLASS: Heatproof glass or cup
INGREDIENTS: 250ml Rekorderlig Spiced Äpple Cider 30ml Blended Scotch Whisky 1 x Dash of Australian Bitters
METHOD: Gently heat the cider in a saucepan and pour the warm cider into a heatproof glass or cup. Add the remaining ingredients and stir gently
GARNISH: A slice of orange
