Drink Recipes

Classic Mulled Red Wine

FEATURING Winexpert Cabernet Sauvignon

Mulled wine has been keeping folks warm for centuries. It’s a perfect addition to a cold Winter eve and is a classic holiday tradition.

Recipe:

One bottle red wine

One sliced orange

1/4 cup brandy

5 cloves

1/3 cup sugar

3 cinnamon sticks

1 star anise

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon allspice

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot and bring to medium heat (avoid boiling). Reduce heat to low and cook the mixture for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved and the spices become fragrant. Strain through a fine sieve and serve warm.

Serves 4-6.

(Photo Credit: WebEcoist)

 

Cooling Wine Slushes

Enjoy any of these delicious frozen wine drinks to cool yourself off in the Summer.

Directions:

Zingy: 1 bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, 1 can frozen limeade concentrate, 1 cup cranberry juice.

Tropical: 1 bottle Chardonnay, 6 oz. mango juice, 1 cup pineapple juice.

Jammy: 1 bottle Merlot, 1 cup pomegranate juice (POM or another brand), 1 pint blackberries.

(Recipes From Kelly Magyarics and Wine Enthusiast. Photo Credit: Wine Enthusiast)

Dessert Wine Cobbler

FEATURING SELECTION SPECIALE PORT

Cobbler’s aren’t reserved just for the pie variety. Try this delicious Port Cobbler with your next dessert.

Recipe:

2 1/2 oz Dessert Wine

1/3 oz triple sec

2 oz soda water

1/4 oz sugar syrup

Directions:

Pour ingredients into a wine glass filled with broken ice. Mix, garnish with fruit, and serve with straws.

(Recipe from Drinks Mixer. Image from Off The Spork.)

 

Electric Blue-tini

FEATURING Island Mist Blueberry Pinot Noir

The tangy, sweet burst of blueberry combines with the light-medium body and cherry-spice flavours of the Pinot Noir to bring a delicious blueberry fruit flavour to your mouth. Serve with Brie and crackers.

The tangy, sweet burst of blueberry combines with the light-medium body and cherry-spice flavours of the Pinot Noir to bring a delicious blueberry fruit flavour to your mouth. Serve with Brie and crackers.

4 oz. Island Mist Blueberry Pinot Noir
1/2 oz. vodka
1 oz. Triple Sec

Shake drink mixture over ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into a martini glass. Toss in some frozen blueberries and add a twist of lemon for garnish. For an added treat, rim the glass with sugar. This tangy cocktail will delight your taste buds all on its own or as a refreshing complement to warm blueberry compote.

Exotic Zinfandel Twist

FEATURING Island Mist Exotic Fruits White Zinfandel

A fabulous blend of passionfruit and fresh ripe berries with the natural fruit forward style of White Zinfandel makes this wine truly exciting. Serve with spicy chicken wings.

A fabulous blend of passionfruit and fresh ripe berries with the natural fruit forward style of White Zinfandel makes this wine truly exciting. Serve with spicy chicken wings.

5 oz. Island Mist Exotic Fruit White Zinfandel
1 oz. raspberry flavoured vodka
2 oz. mixed berry juice

Pour all ingredients over ice in a tall tumbler, garnish with floating berries or starfruit and an exotic flower.

French 75 Cocktail

The French 75 is said to have been created during WW1 for fighter pilots and soldiers utilizing 2 local ingredients in France; champagne and cognac. The name is after an artillery gun called the French 75 which was known for its kick, hence the ‘kick’ of the cognac in the cocktail.

There is quite the argument however surrounding the the French 75 cocktail in that some believe it should be made with cognac and some say gin. In the spirit of remaining neutral, this is the time time to trust in your taste. If you prefer gin, go with gin and if cognac is more your pleasure, go with that. Either way, the French 75 is delicious and there is no argument on it being utterly satisfying. On another note, using vodka in place of cognac or gin is called a French 76.

Recipe:

2 ounces cognac or dry gin

1 teaspoon superfine sugar or simple syrup

juice of 1/2 of a lemon

5 ounces champagne or sparkling wine

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients except champagne in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Fill a Collins glass with ice cubes and strain the cocktail into the glass filling the glass half way. Top the glass off with champagne.

(Photo Credit: Romulo Yanes and Gourmet.com)