The Magic of Mulled Wine, A Guide to Crafting the Perfect Wine: My list of essential holiday drink recipes includes a recipe for mulled wine. This merry beverage was first brought to my attention at a Christmas market in France, and the recipe for it is one that I eagerly anticipate preparing each and every year.
I first tried mulled wine for the first time in Europe during the holiday season, and I was instantly hooked on the warm and spicy beverage. I’ve made enough batches of mulled wine over the years to be able to say with certainty that this is the best mulled wine recipe.
Even though I can’t say for certain that this is the most traditional recipe for mulled wine (there appear to be as many variations of mulled wine as there are European cafes in which to sip them), I can say with certainty that this is the best recipe for mulled wine.
The Magic of Mulled Wine, A Guide to Crafting the Perfect Wine
This mulled wine is served extremely hot.
- It has the spicy aroma of fall and winter holidays, like cinnamon and cloves.
- It brings back memories of my childhood, when my sisters and I would sing Christmas carols to our neighbours without being asked and try to persuade my father to light the fire in our wood-burning fireplace.
- It has a flavor that is warm, inviting, and somehow familiar.
What exactly is hot spiced wine?
- Apple cider, citrus, and brandy are some of the optional additions that can be made to a classic recipe for mulled wine, which is traditionally made by simmering wine (typically red) with a mixture of whole warming spices and other ingredients.
- The flavor of spiced wine is described as being similar to that of a big, fruity red wine that has been crossed with a spicy batch of apple cider and then given a shot of spirit and a dusting of holiday magic. It works out perfectly.
How to Prepare and Serve Mulled Wine
- Every season, I make a batch of homemade spiced wine, and over the years, I’ve perfected the recipe so that it has the ideal proportions of spice, sweetness, and warmth.
- This is the version of the recipe that I adore the most.
- This recipe for mulled wine can be made in large batches in the slow cooker for a crowd, or you can quickly whip up a batch on your stove top. Either way, it is perfect for the holiday season if you are hosting a gathering.
The Ingredients
- The red wine. This recipe calls for a full-bodied red wine, so choose one that is dry and rich in flavor. Be sure to save some for the Red Wine Truffles.
- Apple Cider was used. The majority of spiced wine recipes call for sugar, but I find that apple cider works just as well in their place.
- It imparts a flavor that is characteristic of the season and makes the mulled wine taste as if it were made specifically for this time of year.
- The honey. A smidgen of sugary flavor.
- It’s orange. Orange juice and orange slices are helpful in striking a harmonious balance between the various notes of flavors that complement one another, which is one of the keys to making the best spiced wine.
- To season with. The traditional spices for mulled wine include cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, and star anise, all of which I use.
- Even if anise isn’t your favorite spice you should try this spiced wine because the anise flavor is quite subtle and adds an additional layer of flavor that you won’t want to miss out on.
- To brandy. The finishing touch that this spiced wine needs in order to reach its full potential.
The Terms and Conditions
Include whole spices, apple cider, and citrus oranges in the recipe. Simmer the drink for some time to allow the spices to impart some of their warmth into the wine and for the other components to combine into a single, flavourful libation. Mix in some brandy.
Storage Tips
- To Put Away. Even though it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, the best time to drink mulled wine is on the day it is made. After it has completely cooled, pour it into a storage container that is airtight, and then place it in the refrigerator.
- To re-warm. Reheat the mulled wine in a large pot set over low heat on the stove top, or transfer the leftovers to your slow cooker and set the temperature to low for the duration of the reheating process.
- If you choose to reheat any leftover mulled wine that has been refrigerated, you should be aware that the flavors may not be as robust as they are when the mulled wine is made from scratch.
- To become frozen. You can let mulled wine freeze, then process it in a blender to make sorbet out of it at a later time.
- To begin, you will need to evaporate all of the alcohol using heat. Bring your mulled wine up to a boil, then maintain a rolling boil for approximately 5 to 6 minutes, during which time the mixture will thicken into a syrup and the alcohol will evaporate.
- After waiting for the wine to become completely cold, carefully pour any remaining wine into the compartments of an ice cube tray, and then place the tray in the freezer. Blend the cubes in a food processor along with full-fat yogurt after placing them in the food processor.
- You can also freeze the wine without first removing the alcohol by cooking it; however, it will not freeze solid and can instead be used to make ice cream.