Spiced and Warm: Mulled Wine for Winter

Hot and spiced wine in this festive season to keep you warm and cozy.

Also known as spiced wine, hot wine, glogg, gluhwein, and so on depending on where you are in the world, mulled wine is especially popular during Christmas or the holiday season.  Red wine, oranges, cloves and honey are the main ingredients used in making mulled wine, although the ingredients of the booze might vary depending on the country.

The history of mulled wine dates back to the 18th century, particularly in the Christmas market of Germany. The German winemakers concocted bottled mulled wines for sale in the local Christmas market. As time passed by, people from each country added their own touches to the drink.

Mulled wine is served hot, because of which it is usually served in a ceramic or a porcelain mug. The handle of the mug makes it much easier to sip, shielding one’s hands from the heat of the spiced wine. Furthermore, the mulled wine can be cooked in an oven or a stainless steel pot. To keep it warm for longer, you can put it in a thermos or can reheat it.

Recipe of Mulled Wine

Ingredients:

• A bottle of red wine
• 2 ounces of whiskey
• Fresh oranges
• Cinnamon sticks
• Lemon zest
• 2 star anise
• 5 to 6 cloves
• 6 to 8 cardamom
• Nutmeg
• Ginger (optional)
• Large spoon sugar preferably brown sugar

Directions:

• Pour ½ bottle of red wine in a deep pot.
• Twist some lemon zest gently and put it in the pot. Add a spoon of sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, sliced ginger, cloves, cardamom, grated nutmeg, orange peel and more oranges itself.
• Stir it gently in medium to low heat until it boils and is bubbling.
• Add the rest of the wine, let it simmer for another 3 minutes, and then, turn off the heat. Don’t let it boil now.
• Add whiskey and stir it well.

Serve it warm in a mug, since it tastes best while it is hot.  

Compiled by: Simran Shrestha

Photo credit: shuttershock

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