The coziness of winter warmers
’Tis the season to be jolly, certainly, but it’s also nearing the season of winter, the darkest days of the year and the infamous cold and flu season.
November was particularly unkind, as the weather didn’t seems to agree with my preference of sunny days and browning leaves that gently fall with the soft breeze. No, it was cold, grey and wet.
So much so that at Niagara College we had our earliest icewine harvest to date. And I imagine, like the other wines that our winemaker and students produce, it will be exceptional.
However, rather than sipping on something that came from sub-zero temperatures and is served chilled, I’m much more interested in tackling winter head on and drinking warm beverages. And given that this season seems particularly vengeful, I’m going to be making my drink a bit stronger.
Sipping warm alcoholic drinks has an old history and different cultures have their own versions of it. I imagine you’ve heard of the hot toddy. Most friends and colleagues that I spoke with have varying ideas of what it actually is. Is it made with rum, whisky or bourbon? Do you add spices, and if so, which ones? Do you use tea as the base or just hot water?
The hot toddy actually originates from Scotland, with records taking us back to the 1700s. And in this Outlander-ish backdrop the Scots made hot toddys as a cold/flu remedy and to battle the chilly, damp and unforgiving climate. Whisky was the base, mixed with hot water, honey and a blend herbs and spices.
Today lemon has worked its way in, and often herbal tea replaces the array of spices (although you’ll often find a cinnamon stick and a few cloves still in the mix). Purists insist it should be served in a glass mug with the hot water poured over a silver spoon to prevent the glass from cracking.
Many people agree that this drink is still effective in battling a cold. Studies have shown that the warm liquid prevents dehydration and the spices stimulate saliva, which helps soothe a sore throat. Honey acts as a natural lozenge and lemon is naturally loaded with vitamin C. The whisky both warms the body but also helps you relax and prepare for sleep (which is arguably the best cure of all). The key is to incorporate only an ounce or two of whisky; any more than that and the remedy will backfire.
Since we share such a similar climate and skill for crafting quality whisky, Niagara is a natural for making the hot toddy. All three of our local distilleries have proud examples, including Dillon’s, Gretzky’s and Forty Creek. One local company, Kvas Fine Beverage Co., makes small batch simple syrups such as the Ginger Wildflower, which is an absolute ideal addition for this cocktail (and it has even developed its own recipe for this drink).
But we are a wine country as well, and warming wine drinks are very en vogue at this time of year. Glittering Christmas markets are joyously serving mulled wine (known as Glühwein at German markets and Glögg at Swedish ones). Historically it was created in the second century by the Roman army, which used it to battle the cold winters of northern Europe.
The classic ingredients are red wine (one that is very low in tannin and high in fruit aromas), spices like cinnamon, cardamom, anise and cloves that stud slices of oranges. There is also the addition of alcohol (brandy, a winebased distilled beverage is most appropriate here), and a sweetening agent such as sugar or honey.
Beyond that, there’s cider-producing areas of the world that will warm their cider with spices and alcohol and, of course, there’s the ever-festive eggnog that originated as a beer-based warm beverage in East Anglia during the Middle Ages but made its way to the New World and evolved into the drink we know today with rum and nutmeg.
And here we are, living in our little corner of the world that makes awardwinning whisky, wine and cider.
Yes, winter is approaching, so take comfort in knowing that we are not alone in this; that people all across the northern latitudes of the world are also clutching their warm mugs of soothing beverages to carry them through the cold days.
According to Scandinavian countries winter is one of the most “hygge” times of the year — the epitome of coziness. They’re experts on cold, dark winters and because its citizens are rated the happiest people in the world (Denmark, specifically), I say let’s take a cue from our friends across the ocean and cosy up with a hot toddy, a mulled wine or a spiked cider and just embrace the season of hibernation.
Let the candles glow, let the snow fall, and let your drink be warm.