ardenstone » sugar

Winter Warmer

Ardenstone — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:00:32 +0000

Since last we met, my dear reader (and you, no doubt, a spam bot), I have ended up back in a climate somewhat colder than one might hope. This forced upon me the not unpleasant task of researching something that would warm my fingers as they grasp the glass and innards as they consume the contents. I’ve been referring to it as the Winter Warmer.

The Winter Warmer Cocktail

1 tsp sugar
1 tsp butter
2 oz bourbon
dash of angostura bitters
boiling water (a full mug’s worth should do)

Pour some of the hot water in the mug and let it sit there, warming the mug. Put sugar and butter in a shot glass, and mix with boiling water until dissolved. Dump out the water from the mug, add buttery goodness (don’t forget to lick the mixing fork), bourbon, a dash or two of bitters and then enough water to fill the mug appropriately.

Many of the standard ‘hot’ drinks are similar to this, some variety or toddy or buttered rum but the above is how I’m making them these days. Throwing in some citrus is a popular variation, or some hot tea, etc. No matter your fancy, stay warm in style!

How to make Advokaat

Ardenstone — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:25:58 +0000

On the To Do list: making Advokaat.

Webtender – evaporated milk, eggs, vodka, lemon, sugar, vanilla extract

Recipezaar – egg yolks, extra fine granulated sugar, vanilla extract, brandewijn (Dutch brandy)

eGullet – egg yolks, sugar, vanilla sugar, dutch brandy, water

Bigosbar – scroll down for: eggs, sugar, vanilla essence, vodka

A lot on my plate – egg yolks, sugar, evaporated milk, lemon juice, brandy

Brew Plus – scroll to end for: fine sugar, vanilla pod, water, egg yolks, vodka

Simple Mexican Sangria

Ardenstone — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 02:32:10 +0000

Sangria is one of those drinks with a thousand variations. While normally the drink is a bit like a red wine fruit salad, this version is much more pared down. I actually came across it in the Wall Street Journal of all places. Now, sangria isn’t my typical type of drink. Red wine and citrus fruits both tend to do bad things to my teeth, so I generally avoid them in any real concentration. This version doesn’t help that, but but one night’s indulgence was certainly worth it.

Simple Mexican Sangria

1 bottle of red wine, preferably Spanish
juice of 6 limes
zest from peels of 2 limes
4 Tbs of sugar

Mix them all together in a pitcher with ice. Wait for it to cool down and either serve as is or through a strainer to remove the zest (depending on how chewy you like your wine).

We forget the ice part, and just chilled the bottle first which was the wrong move. The lime and wine are a little to aggressive that way, but the sugar mellows things out enough to make this an enjoyable drink. As a note, we had medium-small limes, and the proportions came out just fine. Finally, it’s probably easier to zest the two limes first and then juice them as the juicing process tends to tear up the peel.

Mulled Wine (in use)

Ardenstone — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 21:33:41 +0000

Ok, it’s nowhere near as cool as the rhyming version, but here is the recipe for Mulled Wine I’ve been tinkering with:

Mulled Wine

8 cups (about 2.5 bottles) red wine (you want something decent, fruity and cheap. Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon is what I’m going to try next)
1 cup of brandy (I use Asbach Uralt)
1/2 cup sugar (this should probably be brown sugar, but I haven’t tried that, yet)
3 cinnamon sticks
8 whole cloves
1 orange (sliced)
1/2 lemon (sliced)
dash of allspice
1/2 tsp or so of freshly ground nutmeg

Pour it all together and try to warm it. This is where I’m still having some difficulty, as you need to get it as hot as possible without boiling the alcohol off (look for white steam). On an electric stove (suckage) it’s a click or so above low. I let all this heat up for about an hour before serving.

It should be noted that this is very tasty, especially on a cold fall evening. See that cup of brandy? It’s why everyone is tipsy.

Mulled Wine (in verse)

Ardenstone — Sun, 22 May 2005 16:34:23 +0000

Recipe #123: Mulled Wine (in verse)

First, my dear madam, you must take
Nine eggs, which carefully you’ll break–
Into a bowl you’ll drop the white,
The yolks into another by it.
Let Betsy beat the whites with switch,
Till they appear quite frothed and rich–
Another hand the yolks must beat
With sugar, which will make them sweet;
Three or four spoonfuls may be’ll do,
Though some, perhaps, would take but two.
Into a skillet next you’ll pour
A bottle of good wine, or more–
Put half a pint of water, too,
Or it may prove too strong for you;
And while the eggs (by two) are beating,
The wine and water may be heating;
But, when it comes to boiling heat,
The yolks and whites together beat
With half a pint of water more–
Mixing them well, then gently pour
Into the skillet with the wine,
And stir it briskly all the time.
Then pour it off into a pitcher;
Grate nutmeg in to make it richer.
Then drink it hot, for he’s a fool,
Who lets such precious liquor cool.

Summer has yet to begin in earnest, and I am already looking forward to winter.