Mulled Wine
From LoveToKnow Wine
Mulled wine is a classic combination of red wine and spices that are warmed together, making a wonderful festive drink for the holiday season or whenever you’re feeling a little chilled/ mulled wine is easy to make at home and will impress your guests way more than a mug of hot chocolate.
What is Mulled Wine?
Mulled wine is a common drink in regions of Europe. It is known as Glühwein in Germany, vin chaud in France, and vin brule in Italy, where it is mostly consumed in the north.
The Swedish have a drink called glogg, which is quite similar to the German beverage and includes red wine, cinnamon sticks, cloves and sugar. Sometimes orange juice is also added.
The idea behind mulled wine seems to be a way to use everything, even wine that had gone bad. Adding spices and (back then) honey to the wine made it more palatable, even if it was a little past its prime.
Now we can use good wine in our mulled wine and have an even better taste experience.
Choosing Wine for Mulled Wine
There are all sorts of red wines that would be good for making mulled wine. Here’s a chance to use a bottle that wasn’t very expensive in a pretty fancy way. You don’t want to use the cheapest table wine for this application, but don’t throw down a lot of change for a fancy bottle, either.
A full-fruited red that costs around $10 will be your best bet for mulling. A Shiraz, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, Spain, or similar climes would be an excellent choice. Experiment to find your favorite.
Making Mulled Wine
Like just about anything else under the sun, there are many variations on the recipe for mulled wine. The basic recipe involves a bottle of wine, two or three cinnamon sticks, some cloves and about a cup of sugar. The sugar helps mellow out the tangy flavor the wine gets once its been heated. You can use less or omit it altogether if you like the taste without it.
Some people also add herbal tea to the mix to cut this harshness. You could also add a shot of brandy, some citrus slices, or any other spices you like.
The most important thing when making mulled wine is to never let the mixture boil. If it boils, it’s all over. The subtle combination of flavors gets wrecked by the boiling, so keep an eye on the pot and leave it on low heat when you’re not in the room. You could even put it in a crock on low to keep it warm but ensure you won’t have a boiling problem.
Making mulled wine is actually very easy. Combine your wine with your spices, fruit and brandy if you are using it and heat until the mixture is warm to the touch. Add your sugar and stir well. Pour into mugs, adding a bit of tea if desired.
Garnish the mugs (little glass mugs are traditional, but coffee cups work, too) with additional cinnamon sticks or candy canes for a festive touch that also tastes good in the mulled wine.
Other Good Additions to Your Mulled Wine
- cognac
- peppercorns
- bay leaves
- citrus zest
- cardamom pods
- nutmeg
Mulled Wine Recipes
- Lisa’s Mulled Wine Page has some historic recipes, as well as information about eggnog and other holiday drinks.
- Cooks has a good collection of mulled wine variations.
- The BBC has a recipe for gin lovers.
- The Wineman has more detailed instructions, and talks about microwaving your mulled wine.
Learn More
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