Mulled wines are a time-honoured holiday tradition around Christmas in most old-world countries. They can add some warmth to our cold and short winter days and have evolved over time. I am often asked where the tradition stems from, and what kind of wine to use when making mulled wines and classic holiday drinks.
What is mulled wine?
Mulled wine can be served either warm or as a cold drink and uses the following ingredients:
Simmering wine
Brandy or Cognac
Sugar and spices such as cinnamon and star anise
It’s History
According to Wikipedia, mulled wine originated in Rome during the 2nd century, and was first recorded as spiced and heated. The Romans would use the heat from the wine to protect their bodies against the winter weather. When the Romans had defeated Europe, their love for mulled wine spread across the commonwealth and the regions they traded with. In Nordic countries like Sweden, mulled wine is referred to as, gløgg (sometimes spelled as glog or glug) as is a popular drink of choice during the Christmas season.
There are lots of different variations of mulled wines recipes. We share a few of our favourite classic holiday drinks and mulled wine recipes below.
Mulled Wine Recipes
Classic Mulled Red Wine Recipe
4 oz red wine (preferably zinfandel)
2 oz unfiltered apple juice/cider
5 allspice berries
1 cinnamon stick
orange peel for garnish
1 oz brandy* (*optional)
Party-Sized Mulled Wine Recipe
1 bottle (750 ml) red wine (preferably zinfandel)
1 1/2 cups unfiltered apple juice/cider
3 Tbsp allspice berries
5 cinnamon sticks
orange peels for garnish
6 oz brandy* (*optional)
Directions: In a large pot, heat the apple juice, wine, and spices together on the stove just until it starts to bubble on the sides of the pot (94º C). Strain the liquid into a glass and garnish with a curl of orange peel.
Tip! If you can’t find zinfandel red wine, try Primitivo from Italy as it is the same grape varietal. Some recipes also call for white wine as an option and some add port or Cognac to their mulled wines. Feel free to add fruit such as raisins and figs and some fresh ginger. Add what you like and don’t be afraid to experiment.
Not crazy about mulled wines, try this seasonal cocktail!
Prosecco & Apple Cider (Recipe thanks to Brenda Sills, world-renowned travel agent)
Mix cinnamon and sugar on a plate large enough to hold the rim of your glass
Use a bit of lemon on the rim of the glass
Press the rim of your glass in the plate of cinnamon and sugar
Pour ½ prosecco and ½ apple cider – or to your taste
Serve cold and enjoy
Cheers!
Indulge yourself this holiday season with a wine tasting or wine class, contact Sommevents today!
Source: Wikipedia contributors. (2019, October 15). Mulled wine. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 18:08, November 8, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mulled_wine&oldid=921330243