I don’t remember the point at which the simple days of working on a wishlist of gifts in the days leading up the the holidays were over. All I know is this time of year hasn’t exactly been a time to kick back and relax for a long time. As much as I love shopping for gifts and the festivities surrounding it, it’s time consuming and takes a lot of work. Add to it, work on putting together a massive market, and you are going to want to look for some short cuts. But since we’ve set a high bar on creative seasonal cocktails that are served at the markets, we didn’t want to dilute quality either.
That’s why I am super thrilled to be able to bring mulled wine to this Sunday’s Holiday Market using a delicious Hungarian Pinot Noir provided by Palinkerie along with a mulling spices by Greenpoint Trading Co. And it’s basically going to take about two steps to make: For every bottle of wine, (1) Mix the wine, 2 cups of apple juice, and the ingredients in the mulling kit (mulling bag, cinnamon stick, star anise) into a crock pot and simmer. (2) Remove spices after 45 minutes. Cool for another 45 minutes.
I feel like we’re cheating a little here but hey, your taste buds won’t know the difference.
More about the wine: Péter Benedek is a third generation winemaker crafting small-batch, traditional wines in the highland wine region of Mátra in Hungary. This Pinot Noir is cherry red, with aromas of cherries and cranberries. Red forest berries are complemented with complex spice and earth on the palate. Waxy, mineral finish. Irresistibly drinkable. Natural winemaking with organic farming practices used. Provided by Palinkerie Fine Hungarian Imports.
Each mulling kit by Greenpoint Trading Co. comes with 3 mulling bags (pre-filled with the mulling spice blend) and a handful of cinnamon sticks and star anise. They will also be selling seasonings and rubs at Sunday’s Greenpointers Holiday Market (12/6, 1-7PM).