Simple and Traditional Mulled Wine Recipe

Mulled wine, the name itself is just magical! A well prepared traditional mulled wine recipe can save you an evening can be the add-on to a winter party and can definitely be of comfort when it’s cold outside. Call it mulled wine, vin brulé, glühwein, vin chaud, glogg or in any other way according to where you’re based but the end result is always the same: an amazing beverage, fruity, fragrant and unmissable in winter.

A simple mulled wine recipe doesn’t require skills or effort, but it does require good ingredients: since everything is in the flavors, it’s necessary to pick ingredients of high quality, especially the wine. If you’re tempted to use cheap wine thinking that it will be cooked so spending too much is not worth, you’re making a terrible mistake!

What’s the best wine for mulled wine?

Good wine is necessary for a good mulled wine: once cooked, in fact, it will release all the aromas and the various nuances of flavor will come to light on the palate. Imagine using cheap wine: you seriously risk to ruin everything! So, don’t! I highly recommend you use a Chianti or other Italian red wine, but Spanish red wine is also very good.

Aside from wine, what else do you need for this hot spiced wine recipe?

Spices, for sure, which are essential to enriching the flavor, and that differ according to taste: there are those who use cardamom, others ginger, others even pepper.

Sugar is also needed and for an even more peculiar taste, some (like me!) even add apples.

Once you have all the ingredients ready, when you start preparing the mulled wine you need to remember to never boil the wine; if you bring the wine to boil, the heat will destroy its tannins, dispersing the original aroma. The final result? A flavorless mulled wine!

How to keep mulled wine warm?

To keep your spicy wine warm for a whole evening, you have a few options:

1. Pour it into a big thermos
2. Re-heat it

How to warm up mulled wine?

Pour the mulled wine into a large saucepan on a low heat. Stir occasionally for few minutes until warm to the touch. Do not microwave mulled wine unless you wanna drink a burnt wine.

How to serve mulled wine correctly?

Once ready, the way you serve mulled wine can have a huge impact on how people will react to it. The best way to serve mulled wine is by using a mug to protect your hands from the heat. Serve with a slice of Christmas cake, and your guests will be happy and warm!

If you’re the proud owner of a slow cooker, this slow cooker mulled wine recipe is perfect for you. It takes longer to cook but the result is amazing and you can keep your mulled wine into the slow cooker so it won’t get cold.

A few more tips for your DIY mulled wine

• If you don’t want your spices to float in the pot, you can put all of them in a small piece of cotton fabric, close with a jute tape and pour the bag directly into the pot;
• A dash of rum to your mulled wine will give it (and you!) an extra warm glow but make sure you don’t add the rum directly into the pot, but just on the single mug;
• If you want to give more body to your mulled wine replace the sugar with honey, decreasing the doses of up to 15% or with maple syrup, decreasing the doses of up to 10%;
• Try white wine: it may not sound silly, but a good and crisp white wine makes up for a perfect alternative mulled wine;
• Never use ground spices: whole spices work better ’cause you don’t want to have a powdery taste in your mouth when drinking the hot wine.