The room at Auberge du Pommier was already decorated for Christmas with fir tree’s branches and pine cones. With the candles in the fire place and on the tables, the atmosphere was very cozy.

The first cocktail was a Winter Mulled Wine prepared with red wine, oranges and a mix of spices such as cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and nutmeg. The tip from Ed our celebrity Mixologist for Mulled Wine is there is no need to buy an expensive bottle as you change the taste with all the flavours.

The second cocktail was the North Star Karkade made with Hibiscus tea, Amaro Montenegro, Sweet Vermouth and Strawberry Rhubarb Syrup, with an orange twist. The guests really enjoyed that last cocktail with a bitter taste and learned that the orange twist has to be added at the last moment!

Here are the recipes of those two delicious cocktails:

Winter Mulled Wine

• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 2 Oranges
• 2 Lemon
• 2 Cinnamon Stick
• 2 Star Anise
• 8 Cloves
• 12 Black peppercorns
• 1 Nutmeg
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1 Vanilla bean

North Star Karkade

• 1.5oz Hibiscus infused Rye
• 5oz Amaro Montenegro
• 5oz Sweet Vermouth
• 75oz Strawberry Rhubarb Syrup

The photos of the event can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityeventstoronto/sets/72157638353170824/