As summer gives way to the golden Polish autumn, and the evenings grow longer and cooler, we instinctively seek warmth and comfort. We pull out thick sweaters, wrap ourselves in blankets, and love to hold a mug of a hot drink in our hands. But what if, instead of tea or cocoa, we prepared something with a much richer and more complex character? We present three recipes for unique, hot autumn drinks. These are simple-to-prepare cocktails that use luxury spirits in a completely new, warming way.
Warm Pampelle – a Mediterranean-style mulled drink
Tired of traditional mulled wine? Here’s a modern and incredibly elegant alternative. The combination of a French, bittersweet aperitif with wine and spices creates a blend that surprises and delights.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml Pampelle
- 100 ml dry white wine
- 50 ml apple juice
- 10 ml honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
- A quarter of a fresh grapefruit
Preparation:
- In a small saucepan, combine the wine, apple juice, honey, and cinnamon stick.
- Heat over low heat, without bringing it to a boil.
- Once the drink is hot, remove it from the heat.
- Pour 30 ml of Pampelle into a mug or a heatproof glass.
- Top up with the hot, spiced wine.
- Garnish with the quarter of a fresh grapefruit.
Portofino Hot Toddy – herbal solace from the Italian Riviera
The Hot Toddy is a legendary cocktail for a cold and the autumn blues. But what if we replaced whiskey with a gin that has a rich, Mediterranean bouquet? We’d get a drink that’s like a walk through an Italian garden on a cool day.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Portofino Dry Gin
- 150 ml hot water
- 1-2 teaspoons of liquid honey
- 2-3 slices of fresh lemon
- 1 small sprig of fresh rosemary
Preparation:
- Place the lemon slices and rosemary sprig into a mug or a heatproof glass.
- Pour in the hot water (but not boiling) and add the honey, stirring until it dissolves.
- Add 50 ml of Portofino Dry Gin and stir gently. The warmth will release the wonderful aromas of the herbs and citrus.
French Connection Coffee – a luxurious dessert in a cup
This is a suggestion for those looking for something truly special. The combination of noble cognac and almond-flavored amaretto with coffee creates a liquid dessert – the perfect finale to an elegant autumn dinner.
Ingredients:
- 40 ml Château de Montifaud Réserve Spéciale Catherine Vallet cognac
- 20 ml Amaretto liqueur
- 150 ml hot, strong coffee
- Whipped cream and almond flakes for garnish (optional)
Preparation:
- Pour the cognac and Amaretto into a pre-warmed cup or glass.
- Top up with hot coffee and stir gently.
- If you like, garnish the top with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle with toasted almond flakes.
Autumn is the perfect time to discover new flavors. We hope these recipes for autumn drinks will brighten up many of your chilly evenings. You can find all the premium spirits needed in our store. Cheers!