Mulled wine, cocoa, and port wine: how to prepare festive drinks from star sommelier Alina Pukhalska

Christmas is a time when the home is filled with the aromas of spices, baked apples, citrus, and hot chocolate. You want to wrap yourself in a blanket, turn on the lights on the Christmas tree, and create your own little magic – in a glass and in a cup.Star sommelier Alina Pukhalska in a conversation with LIGA.net She shared how to choose wine and spices for the perfect mulled wine, what non-alcoholic alternatives there are, and what to pair kutia or turkey with. Simple homemade recipes and aroma secrets for cozy holidays – for subscribers only. The secret to perfect mulled wineMulled wine is the main drink of the winter holidays, says Alina Pukhalska: "It immediately creates an atmosphere: you feel as if you are wrapped in the warmth and aroma of the holiday. That's why mulled wine will always be a winner for me.""I prefer mulled wine with a bright citrus character: lots of lemon, orange, the right spices – and it turns out rich, warm, very festive. But at the same time, I don't like it when it's too sweet, so I always choose dry wine as a base," she says.The secret to perfect mulled wine is very simple: besides not skimping on citrus, the sommelier recommends carefully choosing the wine. She personally prefers a simple dry red – Spanish or Ukrainian."It's better to use dry ingredients, because then you control the level of sweetness yourself by adding honey during the cooking process. I prefer the classic version. It always works perfectly," shares Alina Pukhalska.Spices are also important – allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and others to taste. "You need to fry them for a few minutes in a pan and only then add them to the mulled wine. This way they open up much better, and the drink has a deeper taste," advises the expert.Simple holiday recipes at homeAlina Pukhalska suggests a few simple, yet festive and atmospheric drinks that can be prepared in just a few minutes.White mulled wine "Winter Garden":dry white winethin slices of pearlemon zesthoneyrosemary"The aroma is simply divine. If served in clear glasses, the New Year's magic is instantly switched on," Alina explains.Non-alcoholic apple "mulled cider":apple juicecinnamoncloveorange"Warm, spicy, and very cozy. Perfect for family evenings and for those who want a festive mood without alcohol," Alina advises."Cocoa for Adults": Thick hot cocoa, 30–40 ml of dark rum, and a pinch of vanilla. "It tastes like childhood, but with a very pleasant adult upgrade," notes the sommelier.Non-alcoholic alternatives for children and adultsAccording to the sommelier, non-alcoholic beverages can now convey a festive mood just as well as classic ones."There are many high-quality non-alcoholic wines on the market: white, red, rosé, and sparkling. There's also non-alcoholic prosecco, and it can really convey a festive mood just as well as classic wines. If you want to raise a glass at midnight for New Year's, just choose a good non-alcoholic sparkling wine. It has the same aroma, the same bubbles, and the same festive atmosphere," she adds.Similarly, non-alcoholic white and red wines can be served in place of traditional wine, and they are very decent.You can prepare your own festive drinks for children, which will create a festive atmosphere and are safe for the little ones:1. Children's "mulled wine" with berry juice – Cranberry or cherry juice, orange zest, honey to taste, cinnamon and star anise for aroma.2. "Festive" hot chocolate – milk, cocoa, a pinch of vanilla, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings on top.3. Spiced milkshake – milk, honey, a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg, whisk with a blender until foamy.These drinks look and taste like grown-up cocktails, bringing comfort and festive magic to children and those who don't drink alcohol.Hot chocolate: which chocolate is better to choose?For a rich and balanced taste, Alina recommends chocolate with a high cocoa content (60–70%). This will result in a rich, balanced drink without excessive sweetness.Her personal life hack is a pinch of salt. It makes the taste deeper, more pronounced, and literally "turns on" all the chocolate notes.Spices that create the characteristic Christmas aromaAccording to Alina, the characteristic Christmas aroma is created by star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger."Ginger provides that same bright, warm note that is associated with the holidays," she explains.As for the amount of spices, it all depends on your taste. "I like it when the spices are pronounced, when the drink has character. If you want a more delicate aroma, just reduce the amount. There are no strict rules, prohibitions, or restrictions here – only your mood and sense of balance," notes the sommelier.Perfect drink pairings for festive dishesFor turkey, Alina recommends Pinot Noir: "It can be from Burgundy, Sancerre, Alto Adige, or New Zealand – choose according to your own preferences. Pinot Noir has a lightness, delicacy, and berry character that beautifully complements the taste of turkey," she explains.Dessert wines are the best accompaniment to kutia: Tokaj, Sauternes, Eiswein, or Ukrainian dessert wines. You can also choose a semi-sweet Riesling.Christmas pastries pair well with Port – either Tawny or Ruby, depending on your preference. "Port wine accentuates the warm, spicy notes of desserts," Alina adds.Hot chocolate, mulled wine, or rum also work well. "Its spicy notes complement Christmas pastries beautifully," notes the sommelier.Alina emphasizes: "It's simple: start with your own tastes, and then the combination will be perfect for you."Winter Drink Trends This SeasonMulled wine remains a classic, but this season herbal drinks are popular: warm infusions with rosemary, thyme, mint, or sage."They give the drinks a more natural, 'forest-like' character and add depth to the aroma," Alina explains.Another trend is butterbeer, familiar to Harry Potter fans. "In real life, it's a warm, creamy, caramel-spiced drink that can be non-alcoholic or have a light alcoholic note. It's very cozy and truly creates a sense of winter magic," the sommelier concludes.Read alsoWine as a Business and Investment: How Billionaire Collectors Profit from Elite Bottles

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