Cocktails to sip all winter long

Good seasonal pairings

Seasonal fruits

Citrus fruits are undoubtedly the star products of winter. In addition to giving us a real shot of vitamin C, they bring freshness to our recipes. They are also appreciated for their complexity, with both fruity and bitter flavors. To toast this winter, we rely on clementine, lemon, mandarin, grapefruit, and orange. So we take the opportunity to revisit our classics by preparing a clementine spritz or a grapefruit champagne soup. Also think about blood orange, whose vibrant color will make a splash in a spicy punch.

Another essential fruit of the winter season: the apple. It is perfect for creating fruity and sweet cocktails. Moreover, like citrus fruits, it is a very good base for making non-alcoholic drinks, which children love. Apple juice can thus be served hot, and garnished with spices, like a Christmas mulled wine, or lengthened with calvados and amaretto for an alcoholic cocktail. When it comes to pairings, apples are pretty good friends and can go well with vodka, rum, cranberry juice or orange juice. Of course, you can also mix apple juice with cider, for a cocktail with Norman or Breton accents.

Coffee

In tiramisu, cake, ice cream or sauce… Coffee has already demonstrated that its aromatic power makes coffee recipes irresistible. But did you know that it is also a very good base for a cocktail? Of course, you probably know Irish coffee, the Irish drink made from coffee, cream and whiskey. But you can also try more daring beverages by playing with the multiple forms of coffee. Coffee liqueur, for example, will be perfect for creamy cocktails. As for coffee grounds, they can be used to “frost” glasses. To do this, simply dip the top of a glass in liqueur or cane syrup, then dip it in the grounds. Wipe up any spills with a clean cloth, and that’s it.

If you do not consume caffeine, it is entirely possible to replace traditional coffee with decaffeinated.

Spices

While in summer we enjoy cocktails with fresh herbs such as mint and basil, winter is more of a season conducive to spices. You will also notice that after a few months of absence, cinnamon is making a comeback in our kitchens from October. The reason ? Its comforting flavor is especially popular for warming up any recipe, including apple juice or a rum and orange juice cocktail. It forms, with star anise, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg, the famous five-spice mixture that we love to slip into gingerbread and hot chocolates. For cocktails, it is still best to use whole spices. They will have more taste and can be used as decoration.
Be careful, however, to dose them sparingly, because their aromas are not appreciated by everyone.

So, spicy, fruity or caffeinated, which cocktail will you enjoy this winter?

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for health. To consume with moderation.