Friday, November 30, 2012

Happy Hour with AE: Glühwein - a cup of cheer!

This week we bring you a little cup of cheer!  

Glühwein (pronounced glue-vine) is a traditional German mulled wine.  This little cup of cheer is a yummy, crowd-pleasing, warm beverage that is PERFECT this time of year.  

It's easy to make and leaves your house smelling of cinnamon and spice for hours.  Our dear friend, Steven G., shared this special recipe with us (he is the master at it)!  

In honor of Village Lights in our German Village neighborhood this weekend, we will be making it all by ourselves on Sunday.   Come on by and try it!


photo courtesy of Winemonger


From Darling Steven:


Here is my recipe! It's definitely not a strict recipe, it can be changed to the drinker's preference. The key is to balance the sugar and the wine. If you are using a dry red wine, then for every bottle,  I use 3/4 cup sugar and 3/4 cup water. If you use a sweeter red wine, then I use 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water.

What you'll need:

3 bottles of red wine (I use merlot)

2 1/4 cup sugar

2 1/4 cup water

12-15 whole cloves

4 or 5 cinnamon sticks

One lemon (peeled and juiced)

One orange (peeled and juiced)

In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, water, cloves, cinnamon sticks, lemon and orange peels, and juices (I strain the juices into the mix in order to avoid seeds and pulp). Bring that to a boil so all the sugar dissolves and then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for fifteen minutes.

In a large pot, pour in the red wine. Strain the flavored sugar mixture into the pot of red wine. Make sure to not let any of the solids fall into the pot. Stir the wine and sugar mixture together and heat until scalding. Don't let it boil! If you do, then all the alcohol (and fun) will evaporate! Serve the glühwein in warmed mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick!

Glühwein- a cup of cheer!

ENJOY!!  xo, AE

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Happy Hour with AE: Apple Cider Punch


Happy Hour with AE!  Apple Cider Punch 

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we are bringing you a super simple, super crowd pleasing little concoction that will be all the rage among your guests.   Apple Cider Punch can be served cold in a punch bowl or warm (bonus!) by simply heating in a slow cooker or simmering on the stove.  Feel free to take some creative liberties when making the warm version of this yummy little recipe - the spicier, the better!  And don't forget your cinnamon stick garnish! 



Apple Cider Punch for 20 
(double, triple, quadruple recipe to your needs!) 

Ingredients:
10 cups of apple cider
20 ounces of spiced rum
10 ounces cinnamon Schnapps
1 tsp. butter (optional) to warm version
Spices to taste to warm version 
5 sliced apples (great use of those little beauties you picked recently at the apple farm!) 




Directions (Cold):
Fill a punch bowl or other drink dispenser (we love this cutie from Pottery Barn)with ice (frozen cranberries also work and look beautiful) 

Add the apple cider, rum, and Schnapps. 

Slice the apples and add. 

Photo Courtesy of Crafty Pie 


Directions (Warm):
In slow cooker or on lowest heat setting on stove, heat the cider for one hour and add spices to taste.  Cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, and a dash of clove are our favorites

Before serving, add rum, Schnapps and apples.  

Voila!  Delicious!  And your home will smell wonderful!  No need even for a spicy candle! 

Wish you a cozy and happy Thanksgiving!  

Love, AE