Celebrate the season of snow, Christmas, and cocktails. The weather is turning cold – time to get out the snow globe, get out the plastic, and get out the cocktail shaker. Always remember to remove the lids, and do not forget to open the windows.
Tintorera is a cozy little Italian restaurant located in an old Victorian house in Old Town, Portland. The entire place is charmingly decorated in rustic colors, with exposed brick walls, wooden floors, stained glass windows, and stained glass doors. The menu is authentic Italian cuisine, with tasty food made from scratch. The best features of the restaurant are the owners, the food, and the atmosphere.
When the snow is falling and the air is crisp, people often reach for a cold glass of white wine. This is not only because white wine is delicious, but also because it gives you an excuse to sit around the fire and drink. Yet here at Tintorera, we don’t think it’s a good idea to drink a glass of white wine before a roaring fire. While white wine has some health benefits, it contains a large amount of the sugar glucose, which can lead to a quick spike in blood sugar levels. That can put a big dent in your blood glucose levels, which can cause you to crash and feel tired. So instead of a glass of white wine, we suggest a hot drink that contains some caffeine. ~~. Read more about easy cocktails and let us know what you think.
I wanted something that was both “wintery” and “refreshing.”
Clementines!
I discovered Two Tarts’ Winter Sun Cocktail via the wonders of Pinterest.
It was very delicious and had nearly all of the ingredients I was searching for.
Almost.
I set out to increase the rosemary content.
I achieved the taste I wanted by using rosemary simple syrup for the triple sec.
While I was at it, I increased the “vodka factor”…
Delicious!
I got out my trusty No. 2 pencil and performed some math for 10 drinks to create this by the pitcher —
2 1/2 cups vodka; 3 1/3 cup clementine juice; 5 ounces lemon juice; 1 1/4 cup rosemary simple syrup
Winter Cocktail with Clementines
Serves | 1 |
Prep time | 5 minutes |
Meal type | Beverage |
Adapted slightly from a recipe found on | Two Tarts |
Ingredients
- 2 oz. of vodka
- 1/3 cup Clementine juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 oz. simple rosemary syrup (recipe follows)
- lemon zest with sugar (for garnishing the rim of the glass)
Note
This winter drink, made with freshly squeezed clementines and rosemary simple syrup, will capture your attention in the most delectable manner!
Heat 1 cup water to just under a boil to create the rosemary simple syrup. Pour into a dish with a few rosemary sprigs (bruise first). Allow 10 minutes for steeping. Return the water to the saucepan and stir in 1 cup sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. Allow time for cooling. This may be kept in the fridge for up to a week.
The Rosemary-Lemon Martini also uses this simple syrup.
Directions
Step 1 | |
To begin, make the rosemary simple syrup and set it aside to cool.
After that, prepare the glasses by grating some lemon zest onto a dish with a few spoonfuls of sugar. Place the glass upside down on the sugared plate and run a slice of clementine or lemon over the rim. Twirl the glass around until the rim is sugar-coated. Resist the temptation to moisten the rim of the glass with water; the citrus juice keeps the sugar on the rim much better! Okay, the difficult part is done. Let’s get this drink started! Fill the glass halfway with ice. Combine the vodka, clementine and lemon juices, and rosemary simple syrup in a mixing glass. Garnish with a rosemary sprig. Before you take a drink, take a moment to appreciate its beauty. You did an excellent job! |
Winter is a time for relaxation and hibernation. This is the time of the year when we tend to think about putting on the kettle, snuggling up on the couch, and making ourselves a nice cup of herbal tea. But what could make the perfect drink for this season? Why, a Winter Cocktail of course!. Read more about hot winter cocktails and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best alcoholic drink for winter?
It is hard to say what the best alcoholic drink for winter is, because it depends on the person.
What do you drink in winter?
I drink a lot of hot chocolate.
What do you order at a bar in the winter?
I am not sure what you mean by order at a bar.