Mulled wine is one of those drinks that just screams “Holiday Party Alert!” It’s warm and spicy and makes any awkward Christmas party seem a little more fun for sure. While there are lots of variations on mulled wine recipes, it’s kind of one of those things where you can’t go wrong since most of the usual ingredients compliment each other anyway. The great thing is that while mulled wine sounds so fancy, it’s really easy to make and can be done in pretty big batches if you are having a large group of people over. “But what should I add to the wine?” you wonder? Well, let’s take a look at the options!
Wine:
bottle of dry red wine (like a Cabernet Sauvignon) 750 ml
Fruit:
cranberries (1 cup)
apples (1 sliced into rings)
oranges (1 sliced or zested with juice added, add more peels for garnish)
lemons (1 zested or peeled, add more peels for garnish)
limes (1 zested or peeled, add more peels for garnish)
Spices:
nutmeg (1 roughly grated)
cinnamon sticks (2)
cardamom pods (2, press with the flat side of a knife to bruise them first)
whole cloves (4)
star anise (2)
vanilla bean (halved lengthwise)
ginger root (small slice)
bay leaves (1-2)
Other add ins:
apple cider (4 cups)
brandy (1/4 cup)
honey or sugar (1/4 cup)
water (dilute to taste)
Now, all those measurements are for one bottle of wine, but remember, they are just a starting point. When doing a mix and match like this, it’s best to start on the lower end of a measurement and then add to taste. You can also put the spices into a cheese cloth bundle if you want the flavor but don’t want them floating around in drinks (some people like that look, others don’t). Add all the ingredients into a pot and heat over medium heat until almost boiling (make sure your sugar dissolves if you add sugar). Then bring to a low simmer for about 20 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve warm and enjoy!
How about a ginger/orange mulled wine or a vanilla/apple combo? Maybe a cranberry/lime or a honey/anise?? The options are endless! Make sure to jot down your favorite combination so you can make it again later, or if you’re daring, try a new combination every time! Cheers! xo. Laura
