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Find out more about Liza: Liza Zimmerman, "The Wine Chick," is the editor of Cheers magazine. She has been writing and consulting about wine and cocktails for 15 years. Her work appears at her Web site at www.lizathewinechick.com and has appeared in publications such as Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. |
As the sun sets earlier and colder weather descends, you will need a good cocktail to warm your bones. I am a fan of both those that are spirits based and love a good wine cocktail as well.
Here are two fun and elegant drinks to make at home and for guests:
Yuletide Moon
4 pitted Bing cherries (when fresh cherries are not in season, substitute quality marinated cherries like Marascas from Luxardo)
1/4 ounce of simple syrup (a mix of sugar and water that can be prepared at home or purchased)
11/2 ounces dry, red wine, ideally a Merlot
1 ounce Bourbon
1 fresh lemon slice
ground, fresh nutmeg
In a mixing glass, muddle the cherries; add the simple syrup, red wine, Bourbon and the lemon slice. Top the drink with ice to two thirds of the way full and shake it lightly. Empty the contents into an Old Fashioned glass. Top with grated nutmeg to garnish.
This one is from hometown barman H. Joseph Ehrmann of Elixir. He believes that cherry and Bourbon both have natural affinities and that the hint of nutmeg ties the drink back to the holidays.
Elixir in the Mission is reportedly the second oldest in the City and just celebrated its 150th anniversary. The bar will be hosting a party in honor of the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition this Friday and featuring a selection of cocktails from 1933.
Beauteous Bette
1 once CORZO Reposado Tequila
½ ounce part B&B Liqueur
¼ ounce part Domain de Canton Ginger Liqueur
21/2 ounces chilled Champagne or sparkling wine
3 fresh blueberries, as garnish
Stir the Tequila, B&B and the ginger liqueur over ice. Strain the ingredients into a chilled Champagne flute, and top with the champagne. Add the blueberries and serve.
This drink was created by author and mixologist Gary Regan and is available at Brasserie 8 ½ in New York.
Recession special: I have always had a fondness for Lagrein, an intense brooding red grape from the Alto-Adige region of Northern Italy. The Praxis 2007 Lagrein, from Arbios Cellars, is a fabulous California example of the grape. It is has ripe dark fruit, balanced acidity and hints of earth. It's a complex, great food wine that retails for approximately $18.
If you liked these recipes, visit Examiner.com's holiday party recipes slideshow to find 17 others.
Cheers,
Liza the Wine Chick
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