Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is an alcoholic drink usually made with red wine, along with various mulling spices and sometimes raisins. It is a traditional drink served hot or warm during winter in Europe, especially around Christmas. There is nothing more pleasurable on a cold winters day than holding a mug of mulled wine to warm up after shopping at the Christmas markets around Germany and Austria. There are non-alcoholic versions of this drink however the traditional method tastes best. Vodka-spiked mulled wine can be found in Polish Christmas markets, where this is commonly used as a mixer.
This recipe couldn’t be easier to do. Don’t bother with expensive wine – a cheap red will work beautifully, and no one will ever know the difference! Christmas in July is the perfect occasion to showcase this beauty.
Mulled Wine Recipe
Ingredients
- Bottle red wine (approximately 4-5 cups)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon allspice berries
- 2-3 table spoons of Chocola simple syrup
- 1 large strip of fresh orange peel
- 1 large strip of fresh lemon peel
- Garnish with spices and citrus slices. Try dehydrated orange or lemon wheels
Combine red wine, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, lemon peel, and orange peel in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Heat gently, but don’t boil. Stir in 2 tablespoons of Chocola simple syrup, taste to see if you’d like to add more.
Keep hot on medium to low heat for 20 minutes to let the flavours infuse into the wine. Ladle your mulled wine hot in glasses or ceramic mugs. Garnish as desired.