We have more beverages, both hot and cold, in our Christmas Drinks collection! The countdown is officially on! My family has begun to count down the days before the holidays officially start. This mulled wine is one more sign that the merry making has begun! I’ve been meaning to post this drink for a while but developing a great recipe has been a bit of a challenge. I don’t like sickly sweet things and I am very picky about aromatic spices – some of them I absolutely adore, others not so much. For example, I’m still not a believer that cloves bring anything good to the party. So I knew that creating my own mix was the only solution.
Mulled wine recipe
The base for this recipe is a traditional combination of spices. The recipe has been adapted to create a new balance of spices and less sugar. The result was a delicious and aromatic but not an overwhelmingly sweet holiday sipper, which we loved! The method for making this mulled wine is similar to many other recipes. Start by creating a base of flavour with spices, then add other ingredients to bring the whole thing into balance. The concentrated taste of the spices are drawn out and melded together into a syrup using a small amount of the red wine. This syrup then infuses the rest of the wine with aromatic flavours to make the festive treat we all love. The general rule about making anything with wine is that you should never cook with a wine you wouldn’t want to drink. Since this recipe is for a drink, that rule doubly applies! However, you are adding spices to this wine, so no point using anything too expensive. Any subtle flavours are going to be covered, so you are safe purchasing a wine that won’t damage your holiday budget!
Recipe tips and tricks
If you want to avoid buying a large variety of spices, look for mulled wine sachets in the spice aisle of many grocery stores. Do not place hot drinks in thin glassware. The sudden change of temperature may cause them to crack or shatter. A normal mug or tea cup can be the safest option. Garnish with a cinnamon stick or orange peel. Mulled wine doesn’t need to be enjoyed with food, but does pair well with strong or salty cheese such as Stilton or Comté. Our Herby Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Prosciutto are perfect to be enjoyed alongside the mulled wine. Or choose a sweet treat such as mince pies or Maple Butter Tarts.
