While outside the self-proclaimed "Christmas market magic" fails to live up to its name — a lonely french fry stand without any holiday decorations next to a plastic sheet posing as an "ice rink" — I prefer to turn to my tried-and-tested recipes. Who needs fake ice nostalgia and french fry romance when you can create real winter magic at home?
The first drink is my Winter Apéro, a sophisticated combination that I particularly appreciate on days when winter could use a touch of lightness.
Winter Apéro
- 5cl Lillet Blanc
- 5cl Tonic Water
- 5cl Apple Juice
- 2cl Lime Juice (= half a lime)
- 2cl Cinnamon Sirup
Stir well and serve chilled. The balance between the dry Lillet, the freshness of lime, and the wintry note of cinnamon makes this drink something special.
For cozy evenings when the wind is howling outside, I turn to my Apple Wine Punch.
Apple Wine Punch
Ingredients for 2 cups
- 400ml apple juice
- 40g brown rock candy
- 1 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 150ml red wine
- 150ml apple cider
Bring the apple juice to a boil with the rock candy, star anise, and cinnamon stick, and simmer for about 10 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved. Then add red wine and apple cider, heat, stir — done.
And because not everyone drinks alcohol, here are my non-alcoholic alternatives.
Non-alcoholic Winter Apéro
- 10cl Ginger Ale
- 5cl Apple Juice
- 2cl Lime Juice (= half a lime)
- 2cl Cinnamon Sirup
Non-Alcoholic Rosehip Punch
Ingredients for 2 cups
- 400ml fruit juice
- 40g brown rock candy
- 1 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup of rosehip tea
Select a sour fruit juice with flavor variety. I went with a mixed raspberry passion fruit apple juice. This contains over 40% apple juice anyway, but has a few more fruit notes in it. There are many different types of these mixed juices in the supermarket. Alternatively you could pick a currant or sour cherry juice.
Bring the juice with rock candy, star anise and cinnamon stick to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved.
At the same time, boil a cup of rosehip tea with 2 tea bags for stronger flavor and pour it into the pot. Stir once and pour into cups. Cheers!
What I particularly love about these drinks: they're uncomplicated to prepare yet still something special. Perfect for those moments when you want to turn your back on the winter hustle outside and make yourself cozy at home.
Feel free to try the recipes and let me know which drink is your favorite. While my Winter Apéro has a slight lead, I can be swayed — especially with a well-mixed counter-proposal!