Recipe: Viking's Beer Cheese Soup & Oceania's Big "O" Martini

January is National Soup month! In celebration mix up a cold Big "O" Martini from Oceania Cruises, and make a warm comfort meal from Viking — Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup.

Big "O" Martini — Oceania Cruises

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ oz. Grey Goose L’Orange Vodka
• ½ oz. Cointreau
• ½ oz. orange juice
• ½ oz. cranberry juice
• Fresh lime juice
• Orange slice for garnish

Instructions:

• Pour the vodka, Cointreau, orange juice and cranberry juice over ice into a cocktail shaker, strain into a martini glass and top with a splash of lime juice.
• Garnish with an orange slice and serve.

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup — Viking

Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter
• 2 medium yellow onions, finely diced
• 4 celery ribs, finely diced
• 4 medium carrots, finely diced
• 2 tbsp garlic, roasted and mashed
• 1 cup flour
• 1 12-oz bottle bock beer
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp thyme leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 4 cups heavy cream
• 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 16 oz white cheddar cheese, shredded
• Salt to taste

Garnish:

• 1½ tbsp chives, chopped
• ½ cup popped popcorn, dusted with salt and pepper

Instructions:

• In a large pot over medium-low heat, cook butter, onions, celery, carrot, and garlic until softened.
• Add flour; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Increase heat to medium, stir in beer and broth, bring to a boil and cook until slightly thickened.
• Add thyme, bay leaf, cayenne pepper, paprika, mustard, and cream.
• Add cheese slowly, stirring constantly, until incorporated.
• Remove from heat; remove bay leaf.
• Garnish with chives and popcorn just before serving.

Serves 16.

READ MORE:

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