Common Ground Spirits December Blog 2023

Friends, we’re nearing the end of the year and we’re so glad you’ve followed along with all our adventures in spirits and cocktails! We’ve got one more cocktail to tempt your tastebuds and liven up your holiday festivities, and we can almost guarantee it’s something your guests have never tried before. 

Our Mulled Gin Sour combines the cozy flavors of German mulled wine, or Gluhwein, with a classic gin sour to create an elegant, not-too-sweet drink with a touch of holiday spirit. Once you’ve infused the spices in the warm wine and allowed the mixture to cool, you’ll have all the makings for a gorgeous cocktail at your next gathering. And while Gluhwein typically simmers and steeps for over an hour, our recipe calls for a much quicker preparation that will allow you to make this recipe at the drop of a hat.

Give it a try and let us know what you think!

We wish you a merry, safe, and warm holiday and a very happy new year!

Mulled Gin Sour

Serves 1

Ingredients for mulled wine (enough for 7 cocktails)

1 c fruity red wine such as Malbec or Shiraz

2 inch cinnamon stick

3 orange peels, plus additional for garnish

2 whole cloves

3 cardamom pods, crushed

Small pinch fennel seeds (about 8 seeds)

1 T sugar

Ingredients for cocktail

1.5 oz Common Ground Spirits Gin Recipe 02 (black currant and thyme)

¾ oz fresh lemon juice, strained

½ oz simple syrup

¾ oz mulled wine

Instructions

1. First, make the mulled wine by combining the wine, cinnamon, orange peels, cloves, cardamom, fennel seeds, and sugar In a small saucepan.
2. Gently simmer the mulled wine for 10 minutes on very low heat (don’t boil it!), then remove from the stove, pour mixture into a measuring cup, and allow to cool in the fridge for about 15 minutes until room temp. (You can do this step ahead and keep the wine in a sealed container in the fridge for at least two weeks.)
3. Fill a tall cocktail shaker with ice, then add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake well.
4. Fill a rocks or Collins glass with ice, then strain the cocktail into the glass. Top with the mulled wine, garnish with a twist of orange peel, and serve!