Christmas Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is a popular drink in the United Kingdom during the Christmas period and is a main feature at the many christmas markets that are held in most cities. It's perfect for a cold winters night after a long week at work, when you want to just sit down and relax in front of an open fire and watch Christmas movies. 

There is multiple different recipes out there for Mulled Wine but all have the same theme; wine simmered with spices and sweetener. Whatever version you choose, the fragrance of spiced wine gently bubbling makes for a warm welcome. Here are two recipes to choose from during this festive season. Why not try both? 

1. Mulled Wine with Ginger and Elderflower

Ingredients: 

6 whole cloves

Zest from 1 large lemon, removed in strips with vegetable peeler

½ cup honey, or more, to taste

1 1¼-inch piece fresh ginger (no need to peel), cut into 4 pieces, all smashed 

½ vanilla bean/ pods

2 750-milliliter bottles medium-bodied dry or off-dry white wine

1 cup elderflower liqueur

Stick the cloves into 2 or 3 strips of the lemon zest. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, bring ½ cup water and the honey to a simmer, stirring to dissolve. Add the ginger, vanilla, and  about two-thirds of the  lemon zest strips (including the clove-studded pieces) and simmer, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until fragrant and thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Add the wine, cover partially and simmer until the wine is infused, at least 1 hour (do not allow to boil). Add the elderflower liqueur, stir to mix, and continue to simmer for about 5 minutes longer. Taste and adjust the seasoning with a little more honey if necessary. With a slotted spoon, remove and discard the ginger, vanilla bean pod, cloves, and lemon zest.

Meanwhile, heat small mugs or heatproof glasses with hot water. Cut the remaining lemon zest strips in half lengthwise to make as many pieces as people you’re serving. Empty the mugs or glasses, add the mulled wine, garnish with zest, serve and enjoy!!

2. Original Mulled Wine Recipe

Ingredients:

2 medium lemons

2 medium oranges

10 whole cloves

5 cardamom pods 

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 1/4 cups water

2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks

2 (750-milliliter) bottles dry red wine

1/2 cup brandy

Cheesecloth

Butcher’s twine

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from the lemons and oranges in wide strips; place the zest in a large saucepan. Juice the lemons and oranges and add the juice to the pan. Place the cloves and cardamom in a small piece of cheesecloth, tie it tightly with butcher’s twine, and add the bundle to the saucepan.

Add the sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks, place the pan over high heat, and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced by about one-third (about 20 minutes.)

Add the red wine and brandy, stir to combine, and bring just to a simmer but don't let it boil!! Remove from the heat and remove and discard the spice bundle before serving. Pour into warm mugs or glasses and enjoy the festive flavors 

New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium in Boston is the perfect place to go for a family day out no matter what time of year it is. With endless attractions to do and see, you will not be disappointed and won't have to worry about wondering what else to plan into your day. 

The Exhibits include; 

The Giant Ocean Tank; 

 - The four story tank it home to hundreds of different sea animals including Sea turtles, Stingrays, Eels and a huge variety of Caribbean fish and reef animals.  

Sea Turtle Hospital; 

- The Aquarium is the global leader in saving the endangered Turtles. It allows visitors to interact with replica Sea Turtles and learn what it takes to save the endangered species. You can listen to the heartbeat of a cold-stunned Sea Turtle which was just rescued from a beach in Cape Cod.  

Yawkey Coral Reef Center; 

- At the top of the Giant Ocean Tank, a glass railing maximizes everyone’s view of many of the predators swimming high in the water column. Visitors can now easily recognize creatures resting on the tank’s bottom more than 24 feet below. 

The Trust Family Foundation Shark and Ray Touch Tank;  

- The Trust Family Foundation Shark and Ray Touch Tank features sharks and rays in a mangrove-themed tank surrounded by shallow edges and viewing windows, allowing visitors to experience a close encounter with these animals. Visitors reach out and gently stroke cownose rays, Atlantic rays and epaulette sharks as they swim gracefully through the crystal clear water.

Edge of the sea; 

- Pet a star fish, meet a lobster, cradle a hermit crab in the palm of your hand. 

Blue Planet Action Center; 

- The exhibit highlights three aspects of Aquarium expertise: the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on corals, threats facing the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale and efforts to protect seafood resources through sustainable fishing practices.

New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center; 

- Here you can watch California sea lions dart through the water and limber Northern fur seals lope in this beautiful open air exhibit space. 

Pacific Reef Community; 

- Take a look into the tropical waters of  a Pacific Coral Reef and gain an insight into what one would usually look like. You can also get a close look at many of the rainbow-colored fish that live in that habitat.  

 

Seadragons; 

- There are only two species of seadragon in the world, and this stunning exhibit displays both of them. The leafy seadragon and the weedy seadragon both use their exceptional camouflage to hide from hungry predators.

Penguins;  (Personally my favorite part of the Aquarium)

- The Aquarium is home to more than 80 penguins who live in a bustling colony found on Level 1 surrounding the Giant Ocean Tank.

Atlantic Harbor Seals;  

- The harbor seals exhibit is the only exhibit you can actually visit before you buy your Aquarium ticket. Watch the seals swim, play and sleep, and learn more about them during a free training session.

Amazon Rainforest;  

- Take an expedition to the Amazon rainforest without having to jet off in a plane away form Boston. The New England Aquarium’s six Amazon exhibits allow you to dive into the Amazon River and climb through the dense forest without getting wet or needing bug spray and being able to stay a safe comfortable distance away from what could be some of your biggest fears.

Gulf of Marine; 

- The Gulf of Maine stretches from Cape Cod to Canada and includes Boston Harbor and Stellwagen Bank. The water is cold but bursting with life. As you explore exhibits ranging from shore to deep-water boulder reefs and sandy seafloors, you will meet lobsters, cod, goosefish and giant star fish.

 The Aquarium offers a range of different entry prices;

Discounts are also available to groups of 10+, Students with a valid student card and teachers. Visitors who are using a wheel chair and people who are visually impaired are welcomed into the Aquarium free of charge. 

Aquarium members also gain free entry, discounts at the IMAX and Whale watch tickets. 

Location;

1 Central Wharf
Boston,
MA 02110

Very short walk from the Blue line Aquarium T Station

The North End - Little Italy

If you love a good pizza, pasta or pastry, Little Italy in the North End of Boston is the place to go. With over 80 restaurants, cafes and patisseries lining the narrow cobblestone streets there is plenty for you to choose from. 

As Boston’s first neighborhood, the North End evolved from an isolated village to the home of American Revolutionists to Irish haven and finally to Little Italy.

After being to Little Italy a couple of times now, I have found a few favorite places to go. The first restaurant I visited was Ristorante Fiore, here you can dine on everything from fresh, handmade breads and pastas to classic, old-world, Italian plates to inventive, locally-sourced, seafood dishes. As well as pick from three options of where you want to sit; the main dining room, the roof top deck during the cold winter months and then also outside where you can look onto the busy streets when its warm during the summer.  

This restaurant may be seen as a higher priced one as pasta dishes range from $20 to $32 but each dish is generous and always more than you think you can eat! It, however, is defiantly worth the little extra money. 

The next place I visited was Florentine Cafe further down the street from Ristorante Fiore. The Florentine Cafe is one of the oldest bars in Boston. Established just after Prohibition on the corner of Hanover and Prince Streets in Boston's historic North End, it provided a place to meet, greet and enjoy a drink in the heart of one of Boston's most famous neighborhoods. 

This restaurant is a little less pricey as dishes start from $10 and the portion size is no different to that in Ristorante Fiore. With a warm welcome from the friendly staff, this is the best place to go on a chilly day in November for some pasta or pizza to warm up. It is also perfect on a summers day as it is one of the first open air, side-walk side cafes which allows you to take in the atmosphere of the busy street while enjoying your meal. 

After you have enjoyed your dinner and drinks, the best place to go and visit to continue the Italian feeling is either the famous Mike's Pastry or The Modern Pastry shop where you can indulge in a variety of different flavored Cannoli's. 

Mike's Pastry offers a range of different flavored Cannoli's from the original fresh Ricotta cheese to Amaretto and Espresso flavored. Each Cannoli is made fresh in store that same day, the most popular flavors are; ricotta cheese, yellow and chocolate cream. Other fillings are chocolate cream, yellow cream, chocolate dipped, chocolate chip, chocolate covered, New York cheesecake and Florentine ricotta. The ultimate chocolate lovers favorite would be any of the chocolate ones with a chocolate flavored shell dipped in chocolate chips at each end. 

The Modern Pastry shop just down the street form Mike's Pastry provides similar flavors along with a selection of different cakes and cookies. The choice is yours, whatever option you choose you will not be disappointed. Both shops give you the option to sit in and eat your pastry or take them home to eat later. 

Little Italy is a couple of minutes walk away from the Haymarket T station on the orange line. 

Halloween in Salem

If you happen to be in the New England area for Halloween we highly recommend checking out the activities going on in Salem, yes, the same Salem that is famous for the "witch trials" several hundred years ago. Though be warned, thousands flock to this holiday favorite so go as early as you can! The annual Halloween festival includes everything from local history tours to classic carnival rides.



The town of Salem certainly embraces their history, with nearly the entire downtown area cut off for the carnival. As usual at carnivals, tickets for rides can be expensive, around $6 - $7.50 per ride, and if you're not careful the hosts running the prize booths may trick you into spending a bit more than you planned. It's all for fun though anyway!



Of course no festival in Salem wouldn't be complete without the usual suspects, fried dough, hot dogs and hamburgers are aplenty! While we didn't see as many fried options this year compared to previous years, there were still plenty of traditional fried dough around. Probably best to only order one item at a time though as there isn't much seating and you'll probably end up standing and eating unless you get lucky.



Heading to Salem is probably one of the most exciting activities one can do on a Halloween, especially with children. They offer almost everything that one can ask for, and you get to learn some history at the same time! We highly recommend you go check it out this year!