Mulled Wine Recipes: Holidays, Everyday

Although all different, especially given the wine used; they are generally served hot, they are alcoholic, and the involve the mixture of red wine, spices, and often fruit. Recipes can be changed to fit tastes, the combinations are endless all equally soothing. In the cold winters of Europe, the Romans invented a recipe for drinking hot wine to strengthen their legionnaires. The export of mulled wine in European culture is rooted in Roman history. Documented for the first time in the 1st century as a medicine among Roman legionaries, wherever the armies of the empire marched, they brought this wonderful drink with them. Check out these unbelievable mulled wine recipes.

If mulled wine is not your favorite, try Madeira Cocktails!

Here are 3 wonderful, unique recipes that are easy, and absolutely delicious:

Mulled Wine Recipes:

Gluhwein Recipe

This strain of mulled wine recipes is known in Germany and Austria as Gluhwein, in the Nordic glogg countries and has various forms across Eastern Europe. This rich and comforting mulled wine that is savored and enjoyed in the long northern and central European winters, and especially during holidays.

Gluhwein is prepared with a semi-sweet red wine, although there are some modern versions using white or rose. Recipes can be found with alcohol, or with orange or apple juice as a substitute for the wine. Sugar or honey is generally added, and a number of spices to the taste or tradition of the area: cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, star anise, orange peel, nutmeg, vanilla, etc. In some places, rum is added to enrich the flavor and add to its alcoholic qualities. No matter how you prepare it, this delicious mulled wine recipe is amazing. It will warm you up on cold winter days.

Ingredients:

• 2 bottles of red wine (Your favorite will do just fine, unless it is super dry)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 6-8 cloves
• 1 vanilla pod
• The rind (skin) of one orange.
• Sugar or honey (to taste)

Instructions:

With a sharp knife, remove the skin of one (or more) oranges, to taste. The flesh of the orange is acceptable to use, however, it will add acidity to the mulled wine. Try it without the first time.

Pour your favorite bottle (2x) of red wine into a saucepan. Add the spices, 2x cinnamon sticks, 6-8 cloves, 1 vanilla pod, and the orange rind. Heat the mixture on low, careful not to boil as it will distort the taste and change the qualities of not only the wine, but the finished product.

Leave on a gentle simmer for 30 minutes, careful not to boil it. At this point, the smell in your kitchen and home will be reminiscent of potpourri (with a kick).

Once simmered, add your desired amount of honey or sugar, depending on the red wine chosen for this recipe; you may not need to. Let the honey/sugar dissolve, stirring gently.

Run the mixture through a cloth, removing the spices and particles for a better mouth feel. Allow to cool slightly and serve. Remember, this is a drink to be served hot/warm.

Suggested alterations: If you like a bit more spice to your mulled wine, add red or jamaican peppercorn, or even a hint of cayenne to give it a balance of heat and sweetness!

Forralt Bor: Hungarian Mulled Wine

The Hungarians have unique mulled wine recipes, as they advocate a spicy twist on the classic. Served in tea cups – previously brewed – and enjoyed at home or as they watch the ice covered Danube river, sweating from the heat of the drink as if in the famous saunas of Budapest. This recipe can be doubled or tripled depending on how many guests you will be having. These amounts are for 1 bottle of red wine.

Ingredients:

• 1 Bottle of Red Wine (Merlot, Shiraz, or Cab Sauv, nothing too sweet)
• ½ Cup of sugar or honey.
• 2 Teaspoons ground ginger (fresh ginger works for an added kick, but holds a lot of flavor, so be careful in adding it)
• 8-12 cloves.
• 1 Orange, washed and cut into wedges or slices.
• 1 Teaspoon Allspice.
• 2 Ounces of Pálinka or Brandy.

Instructions:

Pour the wine and spices into a large saucepan. Add the orange to the mixture. Heat over low until at a gentle simmer. Leave simmer for 30 minutes. Add the brandy/Pálinka towards the end as the simmer will reduce the alcohol content if added at the beginning. Add honey or sugar (to taste) immediately before turning off. Strain, and serve hot in a tea or coffee cup. For more of a kick, add more ginger if necessary.

Serve with chocolate, cake, or fruits or berries such as strawberries.

Vin Chaud

Among mulled wine recipes, the French have an interesting take. Intended as a fruitier and individual portion of mulled wine. However, doubling/tripling the recipe works.

• 250 ml (1 cup) red wine
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons) honey
• 2 orange slices
• 1/2 apple, diced
• A small cinnamon stick
• 1 clove
• 1 star anise

Instructions:

In a small saucepan, bring all ingredients to a near boil. Turn down the heat and  continue cooking over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove the mulled wine from the heat and strain before serving.

Netflix and Mulled wine tonight!