I've got my drinks to keep me warm...🎶
Temperatures are dropping and the lack of heating in Hong Kong has us reaching for our fuzzy socks, comfy blankets, and all things cozy. And on those cold winter days, what could be more comforting than wrapping your frozen fingers around a warm mug of mulled wine? We're big fans of mulled wine but there are countless warm drinks you can make to warm you up from the inside out. From decadent boozy hot cocoa to the classic Hot Toddy, we're listing a few of our go-to hot cocktails you can easily make at home!
M U L L E D W I N E:
We'll kick off this list with the classic and beloved Mulled Wine. First, a bit of history: Mulled was created in Europe in the 2nd century by the Romans who would heat wine to defend their bodies against the cold winter. Also called “Gloegg” in Sweden or “Gluehwein” in Germany, it is now the star of every Christmasy market in Europe! It’s a heart-warming drink that’s perfect to share with friends as you warm up under a cozy blanket during the winter season.
This classic winter drink couldn’t be easier to make, but we made it even easier by adding pre-spiced wines, instructions, and some extra spices in our best-selling Mulled Wine Box. But act fast because this box is wildly popular and sells out so quickly (even being on the WM team doesn't guarantee me a bottle - I thought there were supposed to be perks in this job?!).
Shop our Mulled Wine Box or get the single bottles of GLHWN - Mulled Wine and make the cold winter days a bit warmer!
H O T T O D D Y:
The origins of the Hot Toddy are unknown, but we do know that it is an old drink, believed to have been invented for medicinal use in Scotland in the 1700s. While we don't recommend you take medical advice from us, we can attest that a warm Hot Toddy is great for soothing the throat and distracting you from the symptoms of the common cold. While the classic Hot Toddy is made with scotch, we prefer this modern interpretation that uses gin!
We used the N.I.P Limited Edition - "Awakenings" Gin that has unique flavours that were inspired but beloved home-made sweets and puddings and utilizes festive fruits and spices, such as apples, strawberries, cinnamon, cacao, rosebuds and Ceylon tea - giving it a warm fruity flavour that's perfect for a Hot Toddy.
"A N.I.P of Toddy"
- 60ml N.I.P - Limited Edition "Awakenings"
- 25ml Fresh Lemon Juice
- 30ml Honey Water (3:1 Honey to Water)
- 1 Cup of Hot Water or Chamomile Tea (optional)
Preparation:
Add gin, lemon juice and honey water to a cup of hot water/chamomile tea. Garnish with lemon slices or chamomile sprigs.
R E D W I N E H O T C O C O:
Who doesn't love indulging a cup of creamy-sweet and positively decadent hot chocolate? Sipping on a nice cup of homemade hot chocolate is like grandmas putting a cozy blanket around your shoulders. But now that we're adults we can make this winter drink even better - with alcohol! Red Wine Hot Chocolate is rich, chocolatey, and gloriously boozy. It sounds a bit crazy but give it a try and you'll see why Wine Hot Chocolate is the perfect treat for a cold winter day.
A few tips: We recommend not using a hot cocoa mix and instead use real chocolate and milk for a more smooth silky taste. And another tip is not to heat up the wine and the chocolate together. Make your hot chocolate and separately heat your wine with some mulled wine spices if you have them and combine them at the end.
Recipe (4x servings):
- 80 ml dark chocolate chunks
- 240 ml Vertruen Red Wine
- 360 ml Whole Milk
- Mulled wine spices
- Toppings: Marshmallows or Whipped Cream
Preparation:
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk and chocolate chips. Whisking constantly until chocolate is melted into milk and you have a thick and creamy chocolate milk. Then heat the red wine separately - with allspice or sugar if you'd like. Once everything is heated combine the 2 mixtures together and serve in a mug with the toppings of your choice.
