Mulled Wine
The word “mulled” simply means heated and spiced. Many liquids can be mulled – mead, cider, and of course wine. Mulled wine is a traditional favorite in cooler locations, and goes well with the various celebrations that come around the end of the year.
Mulled wines have a long history. In medieval times these wines were called Ypocras or Hipocris, named after the physician Hippocrates. They were thought to be very healthy, and indeed, with wine at the time being far more sanitary than water, these heated drinks probably did keep people healthy through the cold winters.
Moving forward to the 1500s, cookbooks listed methods of mulling “Clarrey”, or Bordeaux. Recipes involved honey, cinnamon, cardamon, galingale and of course French wine. Mulled wine was a favorite in Victorian England, and Negus – a type of mulled wine – was even served to children at their birthday parties. Today, mulled wine is a staple at many holiday parties.
Mulled wines today are as varied as sangria recipes. There are different styles in every part of the world – some favor using white wine, others red. Some add in only a few spices, while others pour in oranges, cloves, twelve spices and more fruit for color! Your mulled drink is limited only by your own imagination!
Heather’s Mulled Wine
75cl bottle red wine
300ml water
300ml orange juice
3tbs caster sugar
1 sachet ‘wine spice’ – contains coriander seeds, all spice & nutmeg
150ml brandy/Armagnac
1 orange, sliced
1 apple, diced
1. Place wine, water, orange juice, sugar & sachet into a large saucepan.
2. Heat to just below boiling point and hold at this temperature for
about 10 mins, stirring occasionally. Remove sachet and then add
in brandy and fruit.
3. Serve in heat proof glasses
Clove and Nutmeg Mulled Wine
3 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon
1 cup orange juice
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp powdered clove
2 Tbsp whole cloves
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp brown sugar
Combine ingredients in a large saucepan over very low heat. Warm carefully, stirring frequently. Serve warm.
Clarence’s Mulled Wine Recipe from It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s a Wonderful Life enjoys the thought of wine bringing love and joy to those who drink it. Clarence, the angel, is also a fan. Apparently the Heavenly Host enjoyed wine! When he’s in the “Evil” bar, he asks for a glass of mulled wine that is “heavy on the cinnamon, easy on the cloves.”
2 bottles red wine
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
4 sticks cinnamon
5 whole cloves
1 orange
1 lemon
Zest the fruit, avoiding the white pith. Put this, the sugar, cinnamon and cloves into the water. Bring this to a slow boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Now add the wine. Add in the actual orange and lemon fruit part, sliced up. Warm this on low heat for 40 minutes (do NOT boil). Strain out the wine and serve!
Mulled Wine With Brandy
3cup water
1cup sugar
1 lemon peel
1 cinnamon stick
15 cloves
1 bottle red wine
1/4 cup brandy
Simmer all but wine and brandy in a cooking pot for 10 minutes. Add in the wine and heat back up until warm to the touch. Do not boil. Add in brandy and let sit for a while to absorb the flavors. Serve warm.