Enjoy the New Year with easy DIY wine cOXtails
牛 年 大 吉
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Year of the Ox
GIF source: GIPHY
It's Chinese New Year, you've sipped and savored a few good bottles, now it's time to crush a bunch of wine cocktail-style.
Here are a few DIY options on top of the mulled wine from way back in November last year.
Calimocho
A lot of people make fun of mixing cola and red wine -- often the very same people who combine Coke and whisky or who put sugar and milk in their tea -- but this is a common drink, especially in Spain.
Today known in Spain as Kalimotxo (Calimocho), this century-old drink is simple: add one part cola to one part wine -- a bottle of each will do -- then rock gently with ice and serve.
You can garnish with a few orange or lime wedges. You can also add your own twists, like a touch of vanilla syrup or coffee liqueur, though the original recipe works just fine. Try an inexpensive wine such as Chamanto Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile.
Image source: Fascinating Spain
Story behind Calimocho
Fun story. Some say the word Kalimotxo is from a 1970s Spanish festival when cola was used to cover the flavor of some subpar wine and became a big hit, based on one of the festival organizers named Kalimero (Kali) and, because he was far from handsome, the Basque word for ugly. Ugly Kali. We all get remembered for something.
White Wine Spritzer
Image source: slender kitchen
Another easy mixer: white wine spritzers. Fill half an ice-filled glass with chilled white wine--try a fruity Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc--then top with plain or lemon-flavored soda water to your liking. Add a slice of lime, then guzzle.
You can play around with different grape varieties, flavored sodas (try peach) and garnishes, everything from orange wedges to cucumber slices to rosemary sprigs.
Mimoso
GIF source: GIPHY
Finally, an easy option with sparkling wine, the Mimosa.
Simply mix chilled orange juice with sparkling wine. Some prefer half and half, while others prefer more bubbly than juice.
You can experiment to discover your ideal ratio. And also try different juices, such as cranberry or bayberry, as well as different sparkling wines, from Champagne to Cava and Prosecco like Menestrello Prosecco DOC.
Mimosas are a popular brunch drink. Thus, if you are suffering a hangover and believe in the "hair of the dog that bit you" -- that the remedy is a bit more alcohol -- this could be your drink.
Original by Jim Boyce, Grape Wall of China 葡萄围城
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CHEERS MINI-WINE SCHOOL
FEBRUARY EVENTS
Location: All CHEERS Wines stores. For details, please inquire store staff.
February 17 6p.m. -- Vogel Dornfelder. Taste this native German grape.
February 24 6p.m. -- Lali Alazani semi-sweet red wine from Georgia with strong berry note.
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