Mulled wine is a traditional winter drink made from red wine, spices, lemon, and sugar. It can be made with white wine or diluted with teas and juices. To make it, heat the wine with spices and sugar, but do not let it boil. Serve in wide-mouthed mugs with garnishes like cinnamon sticks or lemon wedges. Mulled wine is still alcoholic, so have non-alcoholic options available.
Mulled wine is a traditional winter drink that has been served in Europe for thousands of years. In a classic form, mulled wine is made from red wine, spices, lemon and sugar and served hot. There are many variations on mulled wine, including versions with white wine or spiced drinks diluted with teas and juices, which end up tasting more like a punch. Mulled wine is an interesting and unusual drink to add to the party drink chart at a party, and it’s very easy to make.
To make classic mulled wine, start with a bottle of rich, rustic red wine. You don’t want to waste expensive wine, as the flavor of the wine will change substantially, but keep in mind that very cheap wines can sometimes express strange flavors when mulled. It’s best to stick with a solid, mid-range wine from Spain or Italy.
Place the wine in a glass or enamel pot; do not use a reactive substance such as aluminum as it will add a strange taste to the wine. Add spices of your choice such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice, along with grated orange zest. Slowly heat the mixture, adding ¼ cup sugar, and heat it for about 15 minutes. Do not let the mixture boil or it will spoil. It’s a great idea to taste before serving, to make sure the flavors are well balanced.
Mulled wine garnishes can include cinnamon sticks, candy canes, lemon wedges, orange bark, or other holiday-themed items. Try to choose a side dish that will complement and enhance the flavor of the mulled wine. To further open up the flavor of mulled wine, be sure to serve it in wide-mouthed mugs.
You can also make mulled wine from alcoholic fruit cider or white wine. You may want to adjust the sugar and spice levels if you use a different base. To further alter the flavor of these mulled wines, you can dilute them with herbal tea or fruit juice, creating an interesting taste for your guests to enjoy and talk about.
While mulled wines aren’t widely served in the United States, they warm and cool Christmas drinks and you may find yourself growing fond of them. Visitors from many European nations will greatly appreciate the taste of home and would probably be happy to exchange recipes and tips with you. Also keep in mind that mulled wine is still alcoholic, despite being heated, and you may want to have alcohol-free options available for young guests and drivers such as spiced ciders or mulled wine made with a non-alcoholic wine.
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