holiday - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

CHRISTMAS
COQUITO
(PUERTO RICAN
EGG NOG)
Recipe courtesy Lynnette Marrero, bar consultant and president of
Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails
This festive tipple combines exotic flavors of coconut milk and
cinnamon bark for the perfect holiday drink.
¼ cup crushed cinnamon bark or 10 cinnamon sticks
(use an intense cinnamon, such as canela)
½ vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (12-ounce) can organic coconut milk
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
1 (12-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups rum (1 cup white rum like Flor de Caña and
1 cup aged rum, such as Zacapa 23 make for
a tastier drink)
1 tablespoon freshly grated nutmeg, to garnish
In a medium saucepan, boil the cinnamon sticks or crushed
cinnamon bark and vanilla bean in 1 cup of water. Let boil for 2
minutes, turn off the heat, and then let sit for 1 hour. Strain the
liquid, making sure to reserve the cinnamon in a separate bowl.
In batches, blend the canned coconut milk, evaporated and
condensed milks, and slowly add the cinnamon-vanilla water. Add
the rums to the mixture and mix well. Transfer the mixture into a
large plastic container and refrigerate overnight.
Prior to serving, use a blender and blend the eggnog until it’s well
mixed. Serve chilled with freshly grated nutmeg. Serves 8–10.
HOLIDAY
ENTERTAINING
2012
FIVE TOP CHRISTMAS BEERS
This Christmas, serve these high-alcohol, full-bodied brews that boast intense flavors of holiday
spices—like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and pine—as well as seasonal fruits like figs and citrus
peels. —LAUREN BUZZEO
Port Brewing Santa’s Little Helper
93
Imperial Stout (American Double/
Imperial Stout; Port Brewing, CA). Aged in
Bourbon barrels for nine months, this beer is not
for the faint of heart. A thick, almost black pour
with a small head promises intensity, and the
nose delivers just that with rich, boozy aromas
of chocolate liqueur, maple wood, brown butter,
dried figs, dates and a touch of resiny pine. Big
and softly carbonated with serious heft to the
roasted malt, caramel sauce, cigar box and
vanilla ice cream flavors. This is one serious brew
that’s definitely something to share with friends.
Try cellaring to mellow the intensity a bit.
abv: 10.0% Price: $12/22 oz
Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza
91
(Belgian Dark Strong Ale; Jolly
Pumpkin Artisan Ales, MI). A rich mahogany
color with an opaque core and a coffee-colored
head. The bouquet is dominated by sour fruit
and tart oak notes, followed by aromas of soft
sweet spice, black pepper and a slight medicinal
characteristic. Medium bodied with brisk
carbonation, the palate shows hints of sour
cherries and red apples, a touch of roasted cedar
plank and prominent notes of bretty wildness
and floral hop. Closes nicely with flavors of sour
raspberries, lightly roasted malts and a sweet
kiss of caramel.
abv: 9.0% Price: $13/750 ml
Deschutes Jubelale (Winter Warmer;
90
Deschutes Brewery, OR). Though the
spice profile takes center stage, there’s definitely
a bitter edge to the mouth and a hop kick on the
finish of this brew. Otherwise, Jubelale is a
typical winter warmer, with a gorgeous dark
brown color and a beautiful malt- and sweetspice-laden
bouquet. A soft glimmer of dried red
fruit and a light drizzle of caramel add depth to
the palate, while the finish shows a light roasted
cocoa nib expression. Balanced and very
drinkable.
abv: 6.7% Price: $9/12 oz 6 pack
Tröegs The Mad Elf Ale (Belgian
90
Dark Strong Ale; Tröegs Brewing
Co., PA). Pours a gorgeous rust-tinged ruby red
color with a tiny head. You can’t smell the
alcohol, per se, but it smells like a strong beer
with aromas of honey, banana and clove-like
phenols. A soft note of pepper and a hint of
cherry appear as the beer warms. The palate
offers more cherry notes along with subtle
touches of cinnamon, honey and floral hop. This
is medium to full bodied, complex and well
balanced, despite the high alcohol. The finish is
long with great evolution, starting sweet and
then moving to a roasty close with a hint of
bitterness.
abv: 11.0% Price: $15/6 pack
Avery Old Jubilation Ale (Winter
89
Warmer; Avery Brewing Co.,
CO). Brewed with a blend of five different malts
and no added spices, this is a roasty and nutty
winter warmer that satisfies. The amber-flecked
mahogany pour boasts strong aromas of earthy
hops and pine against the roasted malt core. The
full-bodied palate shows more of the same, with
a strong hoppy thread weaving through the
flavors of hazelnut shell and dark red fruit. A
touch of sweet smoke balances out the
otherwise bitter finish.
abv: 8.3% Price: $9/12 oz 6 pack
11
PHOTO BY JON VAN GORDER