Mulled Wine Christmas in a glass. I’m going to make a concerted effort to post some Christmas ideas throughout December. I know that for some people the festive season can be trying, which is why I’m beginning with Mulled Wine. No matter how bad things get this will cheer you up no end, and no mistake, Mr Scrooge!
Mulled wine, variations of which are popular in Europe, is wine, usually red, combined with spices and typically served warm. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas and Halloween.
Mulled wine, aka gluhwein, glögg, vin fiert or vin brulé, is drunk in many European countries around Christmas, but it is particularly associated with German and Nordic traditions where so-called “glogg” parties are a holiday season staple. It is usually prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, vanilla pods, cloves, citrus and sugar. Glühwein is drunk pure or “mit Schuss” (with a shot), which means there is rum or liqueur added. The French name is vin chaud (hot wine).
Mulled Wine Christmas in a glass.
Mulled Wine Recipe
Ingredients
• 2 clementines/oranges
• peel of 1 lemon
• peel of 1 lime
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 6 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 fresh bay leaves
• 1 whole nutmeg
• 1 whole vanilla pod, halved
• 2 star anise
• 2 bottles of Chianti, or other Italian red wine
Peel large sections of peel from the citrus using a peeler. Put the sugar in a large saucepan over a medium heat, add the pieces of peel and squeeze in the clementine juice. Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, bay leaves and about 10 to 12 gratings of nutmeg. Add halved vanilla pod and stir in just enough red wine to cover the sugar. Let this simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved into the red wine and then bring to the boil. Keep on a rolling boil for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until the liquid transforms into a thick syrup. This creates a flavour base because the sugar and spices infuse with the wine.
When the syrup is ready turn the heat down to low and add star anise and both bottles of wine. Gently heat the wine and after around 5 minutes, when it’s warm and delicious, ladle it into glasses and serve.
