Winter Warm Drinks and Holiday Packaging Ideas

follow the link below for unique food gift packaging ideas and recipes

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/holiday---celebration-recipes/christmas-recipes/homemade-food-gift-packaging-ideas

whole grain pancake mix

chai tea mix

Sip, Savor and enjoy a bit of Christmas Cheer with

Apple Cran-Raspberry Drink
Ingredients:

•  ½ gallon apple cider
•  32 oz. cran-raspberry drink 
• 10 whole cloves
• 3 large cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange cut in half

Directions:

• Place 5 whole cloves in each orange half
• Pour cider and cran-raspberry drink into a large pot on the stove 
• Add orange halves with cloves cut side down into cran/cider mixture with cinnamon sticks
• Warm on low heat for an hour, stir occasionally
• To serve: Remove orange halves and cinnamon sticks, pour into mugs.

Glogg

From the beginning of December on through the New Year, glögg is served in Swedish homes on every festive occasion or when visitors drop by. A plate of St. Lucia buns is typically offered with the hot spiced wine. Many families also like to serve glögg after the evening meal, when everyone is sitting around the fire.

Cook's notes: Recipe published at Williams-Sonoma
Ingredients; 

• 12 whole cloves 
• 2 nutmegs, cracked into pieces with a hammer 
• two (2) 750ml bottles of dry red wine 
• 1/2 cup sugar 
• stripped zest from 2 oranges and 2 lemons, plus more zest for garnish 
• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 
• 2 cinnamon sticks 

Directions: 

• Tie the cloves and nutmeg pieces in a small square of cheesecloth, or put them in a large metal tea ball. 
• In a large, non-aluminum pot, combine the wine, sugar, orange and lemon zests, orange and lemon juices, and cinnamon sticks. 
• Add the clove-and-nutmeg bundle. 
• Heat over medium-low heat until steam begins to rise from the pot and the mixture is hot, about 10 minutes; do not let it boil. 
• Remove the clove-and-nutmeg bundle. 
• Keep the wine warm over very low heat in a crock pot until ready to serve. 
• Serving: Ladle the wine into cups or heatproof glasses, garnish with the citrus zest and serve warm.

New word for the week is Gluhwein  which literally means “glowing wine” It is a mulled wine traditionally served in Germany, Alsace region of France and other parts of northern Europe. Gluhwein is a popular beverage found at every German Christmas market and served during the holiday season.

I took these photos in Vienna late November several years ago at the Christmas markets. Since the weather was quite cold a mug of Gluhwein really hit the spot. 

In this picture note the man carrying a yellow mug of mulled wine. Wine is sold in special keep-sake mugs. An hour later a freezing drizzle followed by snow sent the crowds scurrying into warm places.
The mulled wine is prepared with red wine that has been heated and spiced up with cinnamon sticks, citrus (orange or lemon) cloves and sometime raisins.

Glühwein – Mulled Wine Recipe

Ingredients:

• ½ cup sugar 
• ½ cup water 
• 1 large cinnamon stick 
• 1 orange 
• 8 whole cloves 
• 1 bottle of red wine (Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Beaujolais, Merlot or Shiraz are suggested wines to use) 
• cinnamon sticks to serve with beverage 
• optional adding a splash of brandy with each serving

Directions:

• In a saucepan combine water, sugar and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer. 
• Cut orange in half and divide the cloves in half. Place cloves in each orange peel half and place in simmering water 
• Simmer on low for 30 minutes or until thick and syrupy. 
• Pour in the wine and heat until steaming but not simmering .
• Remove the clove studded orange halves 
• Serve hot in mugs that have been preheated or glasses preheated with warm water-(note a cold glass could break) 
• Serve with a cinnamon stick and orange slice.