The leaves are finally changing and the crisp cool air is setting in, indicating that fall is officially upon us. As we gear up for the coziest season of the year, what better way to heat up than with warm wine-based cocktails?
For cocktail lovers looking to experiment with something a little different this season, we’ve provided a list of innovative mulled wine cocktail recipes with a twist that feature domestic wines and will be sure to heat up hearts and souls this fall:
Mulled Cabernet Merlot Hot Chocolate
Hot cocoa, but better! The cocoa and spice aromas in Sumac Ridge Private Reserve Cabernet Merlot add up to the cinnamon and anise making this one of the best mulled wines you’ve ever had.
Serves 6-8
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4-star anise
- 8-10 cloves
- ½ teaspoon dried ginger
- 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup soft brown sugar
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 bottle (750ml) Sumac Ridge Private Reserve Cabernet Merlot
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- a few orange slices to decorate
Add cocoa powder, cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger and chocolate chips to a large saucepan. Pour in the water, then add the sugar and orange slices. Heat on medium heat, occasionally stirring until the sugar has dissolved, then turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour in the red wine. Heat gently for another minute or two until warmed through.
Mulled JT Riesling
This mulled Riesling cocktail is perfect for those who don’t usually drink warm red wines. The relatively sweet Jackson-Triggs 2019 Grand Reserve Riesling offers fruity and floral aromas while taming the alcoholic mouthfeel.
Serves 6
- 750 ml bottle Jackson-Triggs 2019 Grand Reserve Riesling
- 20 ml Vanilla Liqueur
- 1,5 cinnamon sticks
- 1 apple
- 1 pear
- 1/2 grapefruit
- 3 cm knob of ginger
- 1-3 teaspoons honey
Add Riesling and vanilla liqueur to slow cooker. Slice apples and pear, take out seeds and cut them into 1 1cm rounds. Add fruits and peeled ginger to the slow cooker. Remove zest from grapefruit, and add to the pan with cinnamon sticks and honey. Cover and simmer for an hour. Serve warm.
Merlot Blackberry Mulled Wine
A few blackberries will add a lot of freshness and delicate acidity to classic mulled wine. Add a medium-body red such as Jackson-Triggs 2020 Reserve Merlot to the mix for elegant notes of red fruit and forest floor. Perfect for a cozy night in!
Serves 6
- 350 g blackberries (fresh or frozen)
- 300 ml apple juice
- 50 g caster sugar
- 4 cloves
- ½ cinnamon stick
- 1 vanilla pod (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 750 ml bottle Jackson-Triggs 2020 Reserve Merlot
- optional – fresh apple for garnish
Add the blackberries, apple juice, caster sugar, cloves, vanilla and the cinnamon stick to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for 4-5 minutes until reduced. Reduce the heat, pour in the red wine, then heat gently for 5 minutes until steaming. Strain and garnish with fresh blackberries and thin apple slices.
For those that prefer cool cocktails that warm the soul, turning to a classic for comfort is the next best thing. Warm up with a fall-coloured Manhatt-Inn, made with the Canadian wine staple, Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine.
Manhatt-Inn
An East Coast classic gets a Canadian intervention with the addition of Cabernet Franc Icewine. A lovely sip on warmer fall evenings.
- 2 ½ oz. Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine
- ¾ oz. rye whiskey
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Lemon peel
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice, stir until cold, strain over one large ice cube into a rocks glass and garnish with a lemon peel.
Another versatile beverage that becomes a tasty warm cocktail is cider. The cider masters at Growers have been experimenting with apples for 100 years (they are the original cider makers in Canada!), and to celebrate this milestone they are releasing new flavours like Harvest Stone Fruit, Extra Dry Apple and Juicy Bartllet Pear as well as the exclusive Growers Century Dry.
Here are three creative recipes with Growers that will make hot cider your warm cocktail of choice this fall:
Warm Salted Caramel Cider
The real ones know that cider is best enjoyed warm. Combine Growers most opulent cider, Century Dry with your favourite salted caramel liqueur for an extra special sip that tastes like home.
Serves 1
- 1 can Growers Century Dry
- ½ teaspoon grounded cinnamon
- 30 ml salted caramel liqueur
In a saucepan, bring the Growers Century Dry and cinnamon to a simmer. Reduce heat, and add the salted caramel liqueur. Let simmer further for 5-7 minutes.
Warm Cranberry Pear Cider
Growers Juicy Bartlett Pear makes this warm cranberry and pear warm cider juicy and easy drinking.
Serves 8
- 2 (473 ml) cans Growers Juicy Bartlett Pear Cider
- 5 pears quartered
- 1/2 orange quartered
- 1 cup cranberries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/3 nutmeg
- 8 cloves
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 cups water
Push the cloves into the orange rind.
Add pears, orange, cranberries and spices to a large slow cooker. Add water. Cover and set to high for 2 hours.
After about one and half hours in, mash all the ingredients with a whisk and add the Growers Juicy Bartlett Pear Cider. Continue to cook for one more hour. When finished cooking, strain all solids and add maple syrup. To serve, garnish with orange and pear slices, cranberries and cinnamon sticks.
Extra Dry Apple Cider Hot Toddy with Maple Syrup
Try this warm, soothing, sweet and spicy cider cocktail with a classic flavour likeGrowers Extra Dry Apple.
Serves 1
· 1.5 cans Growers Extra Dry Apple
· 2 whole star anise
· 1 whole cinnamon stick, plus extra for garnish
· 1 lemon zested into strips and juiced
· 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
· 30 ml bourbon
· 2 apple slices, optional
Combine the Growers Extra Dry Apple Cider,, star anise and cinnamon stick in a small sauce pot. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 2-3 minutes, or until the cinnamon stick opens up. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.
Pour 1 tbsp maple syrup into the bottom of each mug. Then pour bourbon on top of the maple syrup. Top with half of the warm spiced apple cider, and stir to combine. Garnish with a lemon twist, apple slice, and cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.
Wines that feel like a warm hug
Only a few things in life can warm you up like a good glass of red wine. For movie night with your best buds, cuddling with your better half, or simply enjoying your own company while reading a book by the fire, these are the top red wine selections for the coziest season:
See Ya Later Ranch 2019 Shiraz Viognier
This medium body red with aromas of dark plums, berries and spice and a smooth texture will hit the spot on cozy fall evenings. Enjoy with delicious charcuterie, a fun movie and the company of your best friends.
Bask Cabernet Sauvignon
No need to look further if you want something stronger for date night in. If you are cooking for that special someone this fall, choose BASK Cabernet Sauvignon to pair with hearty dishes like pasta or meat.
Sumac Ridge Merlot VQA
Gift yourself with the me-time you’ve been craving all summer long. Cozy up by the fire with a beautiful bottle of Sumac Ridge Merlot VQA, a casual and delicious sip that will make this one of your favourite fall evenings this season.
