How to Make Mulled Wine

It’s cold, there’s snow on the ground, you’re all bundled up as you walk inside from the winter chill. You settle in next to the fire, desiring something that will warm you from the inside out, but don’t just want a hot chocolate or a cup of tea. No, you need something with a little more kick to it than that. Thankfully you know of something that will do the trick: mulled wine. 

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Mulled wine has been around for centuries all across the world; and is known by many different names. In Nordic countries, they call it Gløgg. In Poland, it is known as Grzane Piwo. Izvar is the beloved name for this drink in Moldova and Romania. No matter what the name may be, the common entity behind all of these is that this drink has stood the test of time, through multiple countries, simply because it is delicious and full of memories.      

You will find mulled wine especially popular during the holidays, specifically Christmastime. Mulled wine is a delicacy and tradition in Christmas markets all around Europe. It is highly unlikely that you would not find mulled wine in one of your travels through these markets. The best part is that while mulled wine is a simple recipe — it is so oddly unique. Every person has a different and special way of creating their beloved cocktail. Different spices, wines, and ingredients make these drinks so fabulously versatile. 

What is Mulled Wine?

Well, to start, it does have wine in it. Wine is going to be the base of your drink and is mixed with mulling spices, fruit, sometimes raisins, and is served warm or steaming hot.

Is Mulled Wine Alcoholic?

Since the base of the drink is wine, yes. It is alcoholic. But if you are wanting to avoid alcohol there are plenty of non-alcoholic wines at your disposal.

What Wine Do I Use? 

The great part about mulling wine is that you don’t have to spend a lot on the wine you will use. Since we are adding so many other spices and fruits to the wine, the taste will be altered anyway. So save yourself a couple of bucks as there is no need to splurge on a pricey bottle of wine. 

When choosing what bottle to buy, the most common mulled wine is made with red wine. After that, you will want to read the labels and look for wines that have fruit notes in them. Merlots and Zinfandel’s are good options because of their fruity nature. 

If you are going to be doing a large batch of mulled wine then you can even skip the bottles and go for boxed wine. Boxed wine has a larger capacity and is usually cheaper due to less packaging. So, if you are hosting a party this would be a good option for you. 

How Do You Make Mulled Wine? 

Along with mulled wine being absolutely delicious, it is also very easy to make. – below is just one recipe of many ways to make mulled wine.

– 1 (750ml) Bottle of dry red wine 

– ¼ Cup of Brandy (or orange liquor) 

– 8 Whole cloves 

– 1 Orange sliced into rounds (peel the rinds if you want a sweeter taste) 

– 2 Star anise 

– 2 Cinnamon sticks 

– 1-4tbsp Sugar 

Combine all of these ingredients into a large saucepan. You are going to turn up your burner to about medium heat. Place the lid on top of your pan and heat until it is just about to start simmering. You do not want this to boil! Alcohol evaporates at 172ºF and that is one thing we don’t want to happen. So as you see it is just about to start to boil bring that heat down to low. You are going to let the liquid continue to simmer on low heat for at least fifteen minutes but you can leave it there for up to three hours. 

How To Serve Mulled Wine

After you have let the ingredients simmer and mix for an adequate amount of time — it’s time to strain. Grab a heat safe mug, find yourself a fine mesh strainer and pour the liquid through it. This will ensure that you are getting all of the mulling spices out of the drink. No one wants to choke on a piece of clove while sipping their beverage. After you have the spices strained out you can discard them. 

How Do You Drink Mulled Wine?

Since mulled wine is served hot you are going to want to make sure you have a heat-safe mug or heat proof glass.

What to Put in Mulled Wine and What to Add to Mulled Wine

After you have found the perfect mug to enjoy this with — now it’s time for the garnishes. Garnishes can be anything that you would prefer. This drink is normally garnished with oranges or cinnamon sticks. If you want to go with anything of those tried and true options, you can not go wrong. If you desire something a little more adventurous try throwing some more star anise, cloves, or even bright red cherries into your beverage to “spice” it up a little. 

Is Mulled Wine Something I Have To Watch Closely? 

Yes and no. If you are cooking on a stovetop then you only need to watch it until it simmers. You mainly want to ensure that it won’t begin to boil. As soon as you have the heat turned too low you no longer have to watch it as closely. 

Another option if you want to be able to leave it completely alone is to put all of your ingredients into a crockpot and then let it simmer for a couple of hours. You will need to stir it from time to time to ensure that it doesn’t burn but overall it is fairly self-sufficient.

Can You Reheat Mulled Wine? 

Absolutely! There is nothing wrong with reheating mulled wine that you have saved. All you have to do is throw it right back into a saucepan and let it heat up for about twenty minutes until you see the liquid begin to simmer and then enjoy! 

How to Warm Mulled Wine

The best way is to reheat it on the stove top. If you happen to be short on time you can always throw it in the microwave as a shortcut.

Can You Drink Mulled Wine Cold? 

You can definitely drink mulled wine cold. It may not be as delightful but if that is your personal preference then there is nothing wrong with doing so. If you are not wanting your beverage quite as hot as when it is first made then perhaps just consider not letting it heat up so much. That way you are able to drink it right away without having to wait.

Conclusion

Mulled wine has been an important part of culture and family holidays for generations. The fact that we still get to enjoy this warmth in a cup is a testament to how good mulled wine is and the memories that it has brought along with it. While you can enjoy this any season of temperature, I hope that you can create your spin on this classic and make it your own for the next years to come. 

If you want to use a mulled wine kit rather than making your own

Buy Mulled Wine Making Kit