One of the best things about the holidays, besides being with all the people we love, is the food and drink. We are especially fond of spicing up our wine this time of year, so we've put together some delicious holiday wine cocktails for you.
WHITE WINE CRANBERRY-GINGER SPRITZER
INGREDIENTS
1 part white wine - BOXT Profile One or Three or a pinot gris, sauvignon blanc or albariño
1 part cranberry juice
1 part ginger ale or ginger sparkling water
Fresh cranberries
Fresh pomegranate seeds
Fresh rosemary
Mix, serve over ice and drop in a few fresh cranberries and pomegranate seeds as garnish and top with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Ginger-orange-cranberry red-wine punch
INGREDIENTS
4 1/2 cups ginger beer
3 cups orange juice
4 cups cranberry-apple juice
6 ¼ cups red wine - BOXT Profile Six, malbec, zinfandel or merlot
5 teaspoons vanilla extract
Orange
Cinnamon sticks
Fresh rosemary
Serve over ice or just cold from the refrigerated beverages and garnish with an orange slice, cinnamon stick and rosemary.
White Wine Cranberry Apple Punch
INGREDIENTS
2 medium to large honeycrisp apples, sliced or chopped
3 cups Profile One or Three
1 cup cranberry juice
1 cup sparkling water (orange or plain)
Fresh cranberries
Cinnamon sticks
Star anise
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix all ingredients and serve chilled with a garnish of fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks and star anise. If you're feeling extra, you can rim your glasses with sugar.
White Wine Pomegranate Spritzer
1 cup good vodka
2 cups pomegranate juice
½ cup ruby red grapefruit juice
2 cups sparkling water
3 cups BOXT Profile Five or Six, cabernet sauvignon, malbec, zinfandel or merlot
Fresh rosemary
Fresh pomegranate
Serve chilled with rosemary sprigs and pomegranate garnish.
Fig, mint and red wine cocktail
INGREDIENTS
(Makes one cocktail)
2 fresh figs, cut in half
2 large fresh mint leaves and one sprig for garnish
1 ounce (1/8 cup) gin
1 ounce (1 ½ tsp) fresh lime juice
½ ounce (1 Tbs) agave syrup
2 ounces (1/4 cup) red wine - Profiles Four Five, Five or Six or malbec, cabernet sauvignon, merlot or zinfandel
Optional: 1 apple cut into eighths
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR A COLD COCKTAIL
Set aside ½ of a fig and the sprig of mint. Place the remaining figs and mint in a cocktail shaker or pint glass. Use a long-handled metal spoon to gently crease the mint leaves with the tip of the spoon and use the back of the spoon to press the figs against the side of the shaker. Add the gin, lime, agave syrup and ice. Shake well, and strain into your favorite holiday cocktail glass. Use the remaining fig half, mint sprig and one to two optional apple slices as a garnish.
FOR A HOT TODDY
Set aside ½ of a fig and the sprig of mint. Place the remaining figs, mint, lime, wine and agave syrup (and half of the apple if you're using it) in a small saucepan. Heat the mixture until hot enough to drink, but not boiling. Strain the liquid into a clear glass mug and add the gin. Use the remaining fig half, mint sprig and optional apple as a garnish.