2 Delicious Yuletide Brews To Serve Your Guests

The season’s cooler winds and chilly evenings make one long for the comfort of warmth. Whether it’s a snuggle with your favorite pet, or some good me-time with a book in your favorite chair, the season just begs for some uninterrupted moments laced with affection. A good brew can always bring you these moments. That’s why it’s in the required list to usher in the seasonal comfort, joy and good cheer. For this, the classics are always a welcome treat. Make them at home, and definitely make them for the merriment of the whole brood. Your festive table is only a bowlful of eggnog and spiced wine away.

EGGNOG

(Yield: 8 servings)

Recipe by Pimbrera

• Ingredients:
• 3 cups milk
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla pod (peeled and
• seeds scraped)
• 8 egg yolks
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup rum
• 2-1/2 cups cream

Procedure:

1. Combine milk, cinnamon sticks and vanilla pods. Heat over medium heat to steep.
2. In a separate bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together.
3. Remove the vanilla pod from the milk mixture. Slowly add it to the egg yolks. Continue whisking.
4. When combined, whisk over a bain-marie until slightly thickened. Add rum and cream.
5. Remove from heat, and serve.

SPICED WINE

Recipe by Jet Acuzar

Ingredients:

• 3 mandarin oranges
• 2 lemons
• 1 lime
• 1 bottle of Agave Syrup (use as much or as little for desired sweetness)
• 7 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 fresh bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon powdered nutmeg
• 1 vanilla pod halved lengthwise
• 3 star anise
• 2 bottles of red wine, Bordeaux or Chianti
• 1/4 cup brandy (optional)

Procedure:

1. Use the peel of your oranges, lemons, and lime.
2. In a large sauce pan put half a bottle of wine and place over medium heat. Add the peel of your oranges, lemon, and lime. And squeeze in the juice of the oranges.
3. Add in the nutmeg, cloves, bay leaves, the cinnamon stick, and the sections of your vanilla pod.
4. Taste the mixture and add agave syrup stirring and tasting until you reach the desired sweetness. 
5. Let the mixture simmer and bring to a boil so all ingredients are merrily mixed together, producing a sweet aroma. 
6. The mixture should be kept boiling for about 4-5 minutes to form a syrupy consistency.
7.  Turn the heat down to a low flame and add the rest of the wine. If you plan to use brandy, this is the time to add it into the mixture.
8. Add in the star anise and allow to simmer for three more minutes and remove from the flame.
9. To serve, pour the mixture into a glass. You may garnish with orange slices and star anise. You can also add a cinnamon stick if you like.

Photographs by Paul del Rosario