A Drink to Mull Over
Well, you did it. You’ve made it through the holiday rush. You’ve made it through all the shopping (and crowded malls); the cocktail parties (and awkward conversations); the quality time with the extended family (and even more awkward conversations). You could probably use a drink. Before you settle down for a long winter’s nap, pour yourself a glass of comforting and classically Christmassy mulled wine. Jason Kilgore, Beverage Manager at Kendall Square’s Catalyst, has a warming recipe that’s guaranteed to calm your frazzled nerves.
His version of the winter warmer combines port, sherry and sweet vermouth with a wealth of spices and then kicks things up a notch with a shot of Aquavit just before sipping. The traditional Scandinavian schnapps counts caraway and dill as its main flavors, giving this spicy beverage a little something extra and allows the drink to avoid the trapping of dull sweetness (which can sometimes happen to mulled wine). Simmer up a batch tonight after you’ve cleaned up all the wrapping paper, put away the dishes and settled down next to a roaring fire (or the Yule log on TV). You’ll be relaxed in no time.
Mulled Wine
- 1 750 milliliter bottle port
- 4 ounces dry sherry
- 4 ounces sweet vermouth
- 1 cup orange juice
- peel of 1 orange
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 8 allspice berries
- 8 cloves
- 8 cardamom pods
- 1/4 inch piece of ginger, peeled
- 8 dates
- 8 prunes
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
To serve, add 1 ounce of Aquavit to six ounces hot mulled wine per serving.
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