Mulled wine is a popular winter drink made by mixing wine with spices and served hot. It is associated with winter holidays and celebrations, especially Christmas. Glogg is a well-known variety of mulled wine served in Scandinavian countries. The drink is rarely made with expensive wine and can be customized with spices, fruits, and juices. It must be heated before serving, but boiling will burn off the alcohol. A non-alcoholic version can be made by replacing wine with fruit juice.
Mulled wine is a traditional winter drink in various European cultures. While there are many recipes and regional variations, it generally consists of wine mixed with spices and served hot. Originally, making mulled wine was a way to extend the life of a wine that was past its prime, but the drink has become associated with winter holidays and celebrations, especially Christmas.
One of the best known varieties of mulled wine, served in many Scandinavian countries, is glogg. As with spiced wines in general, glogg has many variations. Pre-blended versions are available, ready to heat and serve, but many happy vacationers prefer to mix their own.
Most countries make mulled wine with a red wine base, but some, like Romania, may also use white wine. Mulled wine is rarely, if ever, made with expensive wine, as the spices would overpower the flavor. A fruity, rustic red is considered the best choice. Spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, allspice, cardamom, and nutmeg make for a great traditional flavor.
Sometimes, stronger spirits are added to mulled wine. Alternatively, adding a juice like orange juice can make the drink more like a punch. Tea, sugar, water and honey are other popular but optional ingredients. Side dishes can include sliced fruit, especially lemons and oranges, cinnamon sticks, and candy canes. Basically, the cook has many options and can create his own recipe.
Mulled wine must be heated before serving, but if it boils, the alcohol will burn off. Sometimes this is done deliberately to produce a non-alcoholic version, but more often mulled wine is only heated to between 140 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit (60 or 70 degrees Celsius). A non-alcoholic version of glogg can also be made by replacing the wine with fruit juice.
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