A glassful of festive cheer!
View(s):With Christmas just around the corner, this week on Take 3 we ask three well known chefs to share recipes for the perfect festive drink. They’re easy to make at home and are guaranteed to add just the right note of joie de vivre to the celebrations. Here’s what you need to know:
Koluu’s recipe for Mulled Wine
It’s been dubbed ‘Christmas in glass,’ making this holiday treat ideal for gatherings around the Christmas tree. It’s perfect for the rainy, cool weather we’ve been enjoying, so serve it warm. Remember, each chef has their own favourite blend of spices. Here’s Koluu’s recipe:
Ingredients:
- One bottle (750 ml) of red wine (suggestions: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot)
- One peeled and sliced orange (keep peel to add zest to taste into cooking pot)
- 1/4 cup of brandy
- 8-10 cloves
- 1/3 cup honey or sugar*
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tsp ground ginger (allspice can be substituted)
Preparation:
To make the perfect cup of mulled wine, combine all ingredients in either a large pot or a slow cooker. Gently warm the ingredients on low to medium heat (avoid boiling), for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure that the honey or sugar has completely dissolved. When the wine is steaming and the ingredients have been well blended it is ready to serve. Ladle the mulled wine into mugs (leave seasonings behind) and enjoy!
The 1/3 cup of honey or sugar does make a sweeter-styled mulled wine, feel free to cut honey/sugar down to taste.
Antonio Ciocia’s recipe for Limoncello Mojitos
Back home, in the South of Italy, Antonio and his family make limoncello at home at Christmas time. A popular liqueur, it is made by steeping lemon rinds in grain alcohol until the oil is released. This potent liquid is then blended with a sweet syrup. While Antonio serves limoncello cocktails year round at Santore, his Italian restaurant in Colombo, he recommends you try his limoncello mojitos for a very special, tropical Christmas.
Ingredients
- Raw sugar (1 ½ spoon per cocktail)
- Fresh mint (Around 4 or 5 leaves per cocktail)
- Lemons
- Sovrano Limoncello
- White Rum or Vodka
- Soda
- Crushed ice
Mix and serve
Liyanage Ranjith Premathilaka’s for Fruit Punch
What’s Christmas without a good fruit punch? This week you’re spoiled for choice as Cinnamon Lakeside’s bartender offers up multiple recipes for fruit punches.Which one suits your fancy?
Green Pave
- Gin -30 ml
- Sweet basil leaves -3 to 4
- Lime wedges -3
- Nelli cordial -10ml
- Top up with Lemonade -75ml
Summer Breeze
- Vodka -30ml
- Raspberry liquor or syrup -10ml
- Watermelon cubes -3 to 4
- Top up with Ginger Beer -75ml
Creamy Coco(Mocktail)
- Pineapple juice -60 ml
- Yoghurt -2 teaspoons
- Blended together topped up with grated coconut and almond flakes