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 

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. 

FALL STARBUCKS DRINK FOR THE BASIC BOSTONIAN

By: Mikayla Wyman

People love coffee. The average person drinks over 2 cups a day. Why not switch it up when possible? Starbucks provides a seasonal selection of coffee and non-coffee beverages that people can substitute for their usual dark roast or vanilla lattes, which have helped them gain a massive seasonal following (not to mention their new fall hot cups – cute). So I’m here to give you the run down on delish fall-ish options to switch up your regular coffee order.

1.     The old stand by – PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte)

This one has been around for ages, but this year they enhanced their old recipe. Starbucks says, “Our signature espresso and milk are highlighted by flavor notes of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove to create this incredible beverage that's a fall favorite. Enjoy it topped with whipped cream and real pumpkin pie spices.” Basically an explosion of fall-ness in your mouth. Get excited. Can be served hot or iced.

2.     The rookie – Carmel Flan Latte

This created a bit of buzz in the coffee world (pun intended). This new drink is kind of a spin on the crème brulee latte, except flan is just custard and brulee has a burnt sugar crust. Starbucks says, “Espresso with steamed milk and caramel flavors of creamy flan. Topped with caramel-infused whipped cream and caramel flan drizzle.” Now I haven’t tried this one myself yet, but I hear its delicious. Maybe just adjust your sugar addition..

3.     The Salted Caramel Mocha

I don’t know about you, but I do not like mocha. Therefore this one is not my drink, but all of you chocolate and coffee lovers out there behold! Salted Caramel has the tendency to make everything better. Starbucks says, “Mocha sauce and toffee nut syrup are combined with coffee and milk, then topped with sweetened whipped cream, caramel drizzle and a blend of turbinado sugar and sea salt. Enjoy the flavors of fall in every sip.” Sounds delicious, but to be honest, I have no idea what turbinado is. So I used everyones BFF, Google. Apparently its sugar from pure cane extract, which is kind of what I thought regular sugar is. Anyway, enjoy one for me!

4.     The Toasted Graham Latte

This one sounds delicious – and sweet. Based on a cookie and with added sugar and steamed milk, definitely not for those of you who like your coffee black. Starbucks says, “Graham and sweet cream meet steamed milk and our signature espresso, then are finished off with a sprinkling of cinnamon graham crumbles for a less sweet perfect treat.” This will be the next one I try, and I hope its not too sweet!

That seems to wrap it up! I’ve heard talk about a secret menu, so maybe we can figure out ways to finagle a pumpkin spice frappuccino or a flan mocha something or other. Fancy!

 *Quotes and pictures from starbucks.com

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