In many countries, nothing says winter quite like the smell of brewing mulled wine wafting through your home. But Christmas is celebrated across many diverse cultures - each with their own parcel of traditions and practices - so why limit yourself to the same festive brews year on year?
1. Bombardino, Italy
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| Vancouver Realtor-Carmen Leal |
There are several variations of the bombardino: some include rum rather than brandy, and others - like the calimero - have a shot of espresso, too.
* 1 part Advocaate (or eggnog)
* Hot espresso coffee
* Whipped cream, to serve
Place brandy and Advocaat in an Irish coffee mug. Top up with hot espresso or hot coffee, give a stir and adjust to your taste.
Serve hot with whipped cream on top.
It's made by mixing several types of milk with coconut cream, egg yolks, cinnamon, vanilla and white rum. Serve cold, sprinkle with grated nutmeg and cinnamon, and share with family and friends.
Recipe:
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| Vancouver Realtor-Carmen Leal |
* 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
* 1 (14 ounce) can cream of coconut
* 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
* 1/2 cup white rum
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extractIn the top of a double boiler, combine egg yolks and evaporated milk. Stirring constantly, cook over lightly simmering water until mixture reaches a temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). The mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Transfer mixture to a blender, and add cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, rum, water, cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla. Blend for about 30 seconds. Pour into glass bottles and chill overnight.
Technically, this drink is not a Christmas exclusive. It is part of a tradition that emanated in eastern Cuba: as soon as a woman found out she was pregnant, the family would start preparing the aliñado in time for the child's birth. The drink would age for nine months or so, enhancing its flavour, before being handed out to those who came to visit the new baby.
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| Vancouver Realtor-Carmen Leal |
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 cup water
* 1 package ciruelas pasas (prunes) ** must have
* Fresh fruits such as: apple (cubed) and grapes
* 2 cups Rum
Make the syrup: Bring water to a boil, stir in sugar. Turn the heat to low and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and add fruit and rum to taste.
4. Wassail, UK
Otherwise known as spiced cider, this has been a winter favourite in Britain for centuries. It's a good alternative to mulled wine, especially if you have a slightly sweeter palate.
A mixture of all things festive - apple cider, oranges, lemons, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg - it'll warm you on the dreariest of days.
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| Vancouver Realtor-Carmen Leal |
* 1 cup whole, unrefined cane sugar
* ½ cup brandy
* 2 quarts hard apple cider
* 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
* 2 cinnamon sticks
* 10 whole cloves
* 6 allspice berries
* 6 large eggs, separated
* freshly grated nutmeg, to serve
Take a sharp paring knife or a melon baller, scoop out a whole at the top of the apples at the stem end without fully penetrating the fruit. Continue scooping the core out of the apple until you reach the seeds, and remove them. Then fill each apple with unrefined cane sugar, reserving any leftover sugar. Place the filled apples in a baking dish, and bake them for 45 minutes at 350 F.
While the apples bake, pour the brandy and hard apple cider into a pot set on the stove over medium-low heat. Whisk in the powdered ginger and any remaining sugar. Drop in the cinnamon sticks, cloves and allspice berries.
When the apples have finished baking pull them out of then oven and allow them to rest.
Beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks, and beat the egg yolks in a separate bowl until thick and creamy. Fold the egg whites into the egg yolks, until uniformly combined, but taking care so that the egg whites maintain their loft. Temper the eggs by pouring a half-cup up hot wassail into the eggs and whisking to combine, and then whisk the eggs into the wassail.
Strain the wassail through a fine-mesh strainer into a punch bowl or soup tureen to keep it warm. Drop the baked apples into the bowl, and serve warm with a sprinkling of freshly grated nutmeg.
5. Café Mexicano, Mexico
Fancy a taste of festive Mexico? Their Christmas cocoa has an irresistible chocolate twist, and you can enjoy it with or without alcohol.
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| Vancouver Realtor-Carmen Leal |
Pour chocolate syrup into a warmed cup - stir in Kahlua or brandy, if you fancy - add the coffee, then top it off with a dollop of thick cream and cinnamon. Hello, heaven.
* 1ounce Kahlua
* 1⁄2ounce brandy
* 1teaspoon chocolate syrup
* 1dash ground cinnamon
* hot coffee
* sweetened whipped cream
Place Kahlúa, brandy, chocolate syrup and cinnamon in a coffee cup or mug. Fill with hot coffee. Stir to blend. Top with sweetened whipped cream.
6. Irish coffee, Ireland
There are many ways to drink Irish coffee, and just as many occasions. But during the festive season, the way to do it is with as many cream liqueurs as possible (within reason, obviously). Along with the Irish whiskey, add in some Kahlua Coffee Cream and Baileys. Top it off with a swirl of whipped cream.
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| Vancouver-Realtor-Carmen-Leal |
* 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
* 1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey
* Whipped cream
Preheat your mug, then fill with coffee: Pour hot water into a mug or heatproof glass to take the chill off. Pour out the water. This will also prevent your glass from cracking. Fill the mug about 3/4 full with the coffee.
Add sweetener: Add the granulated and brown sugars and stir until fully dissolved.
Add Irish whiskey: Add the whiskey and stir to incorporate.
Top with whipped cream: If using lightly whipped cream, pour it slowly over a warm spoon onto the coffee, being careful not to break the coffee's surface. This takes some practice. A more foolproof way to not break the surface is to whip the cream a bit more and dollop it gently on top. Drink while hot!
7. Eggnog
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| Vancouver-Realtor-Carmen-Leal |
* .5 oz. Cognac
* .5 oz. Luxardo Maraschino
* .5 oz. Simple syrup
* 1 whole egg
* Dry shake + Ice shake or Blender
Top with milk , nutmeg, orange zest and Luxardo Maraschino Cherry for garnish.
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