Mulled wine is a traditional favorite in cooler locations and goes well with winter celebrations. The word "mulled" simply means heated and spiced. Mulled wines have a long history, they were thought to be very healthy to drink through the cold winters.
Glogg is the Scandinavian version of mulled wine enjoyed during the Advent season. Made with red wine, sugar, spices and a stonger spirit such as aquavit, vodka or brandy. Served hot and garnished with almonds and raisins, Glogg warms the spirit from the outside in.
Eggnog was created in Europe in the 1700s, mixing warm milk and eggs with Sherry or Brandy to keep the chill at bay. Served in a noggin - a small, wooden mug, hence the nickname ‘eggnog'. During the 1800s this became popular in England, especially at Christmas time. A classic punch served in large volumes to all holiday visitors, eggnog remains a seasonal favorite around the world.

Tom and Jerry Do you like eggnog but want to try something different? Try this recipe that dates from the early 1800s.
In a mug mix 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp sugar and ¼ tsp allspice until frothy. Slowly stir in 1 ½ oz rum.  In a separate bowl, beat 1 egg white until stiff. Gently fold egg white into mug. Stir in ½ oz brandy and add boiling water or milk to top of mug. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Hot Toddy, the quintessential winter warmer, is frequently mistaken as a cold remedy. The hot toddy is simply lemon, hot water, spirit of choice and honey. Whiskey and brandy are the most popular, but Tuaca and other liqueurs work well, too.

 

‘Tis the season to celebrate and if your special winter occasion includes spirits, we've gathered insider observations to chill-proof your selections. From mulled and ice wine to the best bubbly to festive seasonal microbrews, here's everything you'll need to know to send Jack Frost on his merry way.

There’s nothing more festive than a glass full of bubbles and there’s a large selection of sparkling wine for every personality, occasion and price range. Mark Daanen of Daanen’s Delicatessen in Hayden, which carries over 500 labels of wine at any given time, notes that consumers are more willing to explore the different varieties of dessert wines in recent years. Daanen’s stocks sparkling wines from France, Italy and Spain. For the winter, there’s a special German spiced wine, Glühwein, which is served hot. The flip side is Ice wine, a rich, flavorful dessert wine made from grapes that are frozen on the vine, then pressed before they thaw. Daanen says the most popular Ice wine they sell is Jackson Twiggs from Canada. Idaho’s St. Chapell Winery also makes very good Ice wine in both Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
When ordering a dessert wine, a general rule is that the wine should be sweeter than the food it is served with. Quite often the wine itself can be a dessert, but bakery sweets make a good match. White dessert wines are generally served somewhat chilled and red dessert wines are served at room temperature or slightly chilled. So pop a cork on your special holiday occasions and enjoy!

Mark's bubbly guide:

  • Spanish Cava, produced using the same method as in France's Champagne region is affordable, yet sophisticated.

  • French Champagne is always a classic, elegant and smooth with a refined earthiness.

  • Italian Prosecco is fruity, light, and fun. These inexpensive spumante wines are for people who like to make every gathering a celebration.

  • The Italian sparkler Asti Spumante is a pretty, frothy wine that's fun, festive and inexpensive. Made from the Moscato Canelli grape, they're apricot-scented, lightly sweet, and low in alcohol.

  • American sparkling wines are made from Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir grapes from California and Washington state and tend to be drier than French Champagnes.

THE 12 ALES OF

CHRISTMAS

Locals look forward to "The Twelve Ales of Christmas" at Capone's Pub & Grill in Coeur d'Alene. You receive a T-Shirt and samples of 12 pints of their selected taps of Christmas Brews. Make sure you have a designated driver or a cab waiting after this extravaganza. Call for advance tickets. 667-4843

If you would rather enjoy winter ales in the comfort of your home or hotel room, Daanen's Delicatessen in Hayden has a plethora of bottled seasonal beers. With choices from the good ol' USA to European brewhouses, you are sure to find the perfect ale to add a little spice to your holiday celebrations. 772-7371

Bartender Recommended
Frosty Weather Libations:

  • Crickets (downtown Coeur d’Alene) is the place to be when the snow flies. Popular drinks are the Holiday Delight- hot chocolate with Navan Natural Vanilla Liqueur, Cricket Coffee-carmalized rim, Amaretto, liqueurto cream, Bailey’s topped with whipped cream and cinnamon or Hot Apple Pie-apple cider and tuaca dusted with cinnamon.

  • Sargents (in Hayden) is just the place to sit near the fireplace and enjoy heated Grand Marnier or a brandy, Bailey’s Irish Cream and coffee. Another popular cold weather warmer is Butter Shot, Bailey’s Irish Cream and coffee.

  • The Iron Horse (downtown Coeur d’Alene) sticks with traditional favorites for the cold weather with hot buttered rum or hot chocolate laced with schnapps known as Peppermint Patties.

  • Mallards at Red Lion Templins (Post Falls) offers a view of the river while you sip a special Mallard’s Coffee with Irish Cream.

  • Mulligan’s at Coeur d’Alene Inn (Coeur d’Alene) serves up Coffee Nudges-with brandy and Kalua, traditional Peppermint Patties and Irish Coffee and a special Irish Vanilla Bean Coffee that includes Irish Vanilla vodka and Bailey’s.

 

 

Wassail
 

Wassail is an old English toasting punch dating from the Middle Ages. It takes it’s name from a salutation, Wass hael, which translates as “be in good health”. It is typically served in a wassail bowl and is passed around, with wass hael cheers greeting each guest. There are several variations, from red wine to ale, sherry, brandy, tea and differing juices. This recipe combines beer with cider, which is how it is more commonly thought of today.

In a large pot, combine 1 tsp allspice, 1 tsp nutmeg, ½ tsp ginger, ½ cup brown sugar, juice of 1 orange and 1 lemon plus peels and 8 oz hot water.  Cook over medium heat until hot. Add 32 oz brown ale and 12 oz hard cider and cook until steaming (not boiling.) Ladle into heat-resistant mugs. Cheers!
 

Hot Spiced Wine

A festive and warming drink, Hot Spiced Wine is the perfect addition to North Idaho winter celebrations.

1 bottle red wine
1/4 cup sugar
2 sticks cinnamon
20 whole allspice
25-30 whole cloves
1 tablespoon orange or lemon peel
1 whole orange or lemon, sliced

 Heat wine over low-medium heat in a stainless steel or porcelian pot. Do not boil. Stir in sugar gradually until dissolved. Place spices in a cheesecloth bag and add to pot. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove spices, add sliced citrus and serve.
 

 

Beer Bread

Beer and bread. Are any other foods so different yet so alike? Try this simple recipe with Pumpkin beer for a distictive holiday flavor or with a dark winter ale for a hearty loaf.

3 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 12 ounce bottle warm beer
1/4 cup melted butter

 Mix dry ingredients. Add beer and stir until just blended. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 375° for 45-50 minutes. Pour melted butter on top about half way through baking time. Makes one loaf.
 

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