Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is a very popular drink in the Nordic countries of Europe, but very popular worldwide. It consists of spiced red wine, which is served very hot. That is why it is a typical drink on cold days, especially at Christmas. It also has its own day in the ace calendar. Every March 3 is celebrated the day of the Mulled Wine or Spiced Wine. Therefore, today we want to know a little more about this curious drink. We will also see a multitude of types of mulled wine by country, and a huge list of ingredients that we can add to make our own mulled wine.
This spicy drink is originally from Europe, although in the southern countries it is not so well known. In the Nordic countries it is a very popular drink, especially at Christmas markets, the time when we drink Mulled Wine the most.
Mulled Wine Day
Although this drink is very typical at Christmas, we celebrate Mulled Wine Day on March 3. Like most of the most curious gastronomic events, this day is celebrated in the United States (where they don’t miss a single one), and in the United Kingdom, where Mulled Wine is also very popular.
And, although we have tried to get to the origin of this day, we have not been able to find out for sure why this unwinterly date has been chosen to celebrate Mulled Wine Day.
History of this curious drink
It is known that this drink already existed in Ancient Greece, during the year 300 B.C., when they began to heat and season the wine with different ingredients.
From here, the Romans also popularized this drink, around the 2nd century AD. It was then known as Conditum, which means, spiced.
At that time, wine was heated to highlight its medicinal properties. And it was drunk by Roman legionaries in the winter in order to better withstand the low temperatures.
The Greek philosopher Hippocrates prescribed this drink as a medicinal tonic. Even in Europe, this drink was known as Hippocrates, as it was believed that Hippocrates was the inventor of Spiced Wine.
It was common to spice it with pepper and honey; although recipes have been found in which saffron, dates, bay leaves… were included.
Centuries later, in the Middle Ages, the recipe used to season the wine was more similar to today’s. In addition to honey, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger or cloves were added to the wine to sweeten it. In addition to honey, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger or cloves were added to the wine to sweeten it. At this time, Mulled Wine was also very popular in Spain; although, with time, it lost its fame.
How to make Mulled Wine
If you dare to try this curious drink, here is a recipe to make Mulled Wine, but the German version, or Glühwein.
Recipe for German Glühwein, mulled wine
Ingredients
- 3 Cup Red wine
- 3 Oz Brown sugar
- 4 Cardamom
- 6 Cloves
- 2 Cinnamon stick
- 2 Star anise
- Ground Nutmeg (to taste)
- 1 Lemon
- 1 Orange
Instructions
- The recipe is very simple. Let's start by peeling the lemon and orange, as we only need the peel.Reserve some orange segments or some thin slices to decorate the glasses later.In a saucepan, we are going to put the sugar, the orange and lemon peel and the rest of the spices.3 Oz Brown sugar, 4 Cardamom, 6 Cloves, 2 Cinnamon stick, Ground Nutmeg, 1 Lemon, 1 Orange, 2 Star anise
- Put over medium heat for a couple of minutes, stirring so it does not burn. Add the wine and lower the heat. Let it cook for half an hour without boiling. Stirring from time to time.3 Cup Red wine
- After that time, taste it to check if it is to your taste of sweetness. If you want it sweeter, add a little more sugar or honey, as you choose.Serve the wine, straining it and decorating with thin slices of orange, a cinnamon stick or star anise
Notes
NOTE 2: Do not use a poor quality wine, as it is the main ingredient and its quality will define the quality of our spicy drink.
Nutrition
In addition, if you want to prepare a different version of this drink, later we will see many ideas with ingredients that can be added. And we will also know recipes from different countries of the Spiced Wine.
Keep in mind that it is advisable to use red wine, light, between 7 and 9º. Semi-dry and with a fruity taste, but avoid wines aged in oak barrels.
When you have the wine and the ingredients you are going to spice it with selected, put the wine in a pot on the fire. Add the spices and heat while stirring, but without boiling. Cook for at least half an hour, over low heat and stirring. After this time, our mulled wine is ready.
What are the ingredients of Mulled Wine?
The good thing about this drink is that we can make a multitude of different versions. We can even use white wine instead of red wine. Although the most traditional is the latter, there are also versions with white wine.
And because it is so popular in so many countries, there are so many variations of this drink. The key is to combine the ingredients as you like. Therefore, we are going to see a list with some of the options we have to spice our Mulled Wine. Choose the ones you like the most and combine them as you like to get your perfect spiced wine and celebrate your day in a very original way!
- Aniseed, a dash of aniseed liqueur or star anise.
- Cinnamon, cinnamon stick.
- Sugar or Honey. You can use whichever you prefer. When heating the wine, if you choose honey, it will melt without any problem. Regarding the sugar, you can choose between brown or white sugar.
- Citrus Peel. The most common are lemon and orange. Add the peel (always avoiding the white part) to add that rich flavor to the wine. Or, add it to the recipe grated. And, just as you include the peel of these citrus fruits, you can also add a splash of orange or lemon juice; or even both. And why not a piece of these fruits?
- Peach in pieces, we can also add diced fruit. We can choose the one we like the most, although, without a doubt, peach is one of the best for it (together with pear).
Cloves are one of the fundamental ingredients for this recipe.
- Cloves, this spice has a powerful flavor and aroma, so it is better not to overdo it. For about 750 ml. of wine, 6 cloves will be enough.
- Vanilla sticks. It is true that in some places it can be somewhat difficult to find vanilla sticks. And, if you can find it, its price is not very affordable. Therefore you can replace it with a few drops of vanilla essence if you do not want to miss this delicious touch to your spiced wine.
- Ginger. Use it fresh. You can add a whole piece, then remove it once the wine has infused, or add it to the drink in grated form.
- Bay Leaves. Prepare the most traditional spiced wine of all, the recipe of the Romans, by adding a couple of bay leaves. But remember to wash them very well before adding them to the wine.
- Nutmeg. Add a pinch of Nutmeg to give it a very peculiar flavor.
- Cardamom. It is true that, to benefit from the properties of cardamom and to get more flavor, we should add it split, so that the seeds come out from inside. But this way it can be a bit more annoying when drinking the wine. Therefore, we recommend that you include the whole cardamom balls.
- Black pepper. Just a pinch, because it gives a lot of flavor and a small contrast will be very good. But, if we overdo it, we may not even be able to drink it.
Add tea and infuse it with the wine to aromatize it even more.
We have even found recipes that include cranberry juice, apple cider or fruity liqueurs to the combination. Another very good idea, which we have taken from a UK blog, consists of adding Chai tea to the wine to give it even more flavor and aromatize it in a very original way.
In addition to all these ingredients, it is common to add other liqueurs. The most commonly used, as we have seen, to accompany mulled wine is Brandy, but we can also add rum, or any fruit liqueur.
We have also found in Swedish recipes such original ideas as adding licorice syrup, or even the recipe for mulled wine with chocolate.
Do you want to prepare the most chocolatey version of this drink?
This version is made with fruity red wine, chopped bitter chocolate, star anise, cloves, cinnamon, cocoa powder, brown sugar, clementines and a sprig of rosemary.
Mulled Wine or Spiced Wine Around the World
As we have been saying, this recipe with so many centuries of history is very popular in many countries. That is why there are so many versions and it receives so many names. Let’s take a look at some of them.
- Vin Chaud, in France: The recipe for this mulled wine or spiced wine includes orange, sugar, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and a dash of cognac.
- In Italy, Vin Brulé: This Italian recipe contains orange, lemon, apple, nutmeg, cloves, star anise, cinnamon stick and sugar.
- Oinomelo, in Greece. In Greece the mulled wine also contains honey, cloves, orange peel and juice, cinnamon stick and brandy.
- Vinho Quente, in Portugal, they add ginger, cinnamon stick, sugar, a little water, cloves, orange juice and chopped apples to the spiced wine.
- In Poland, the Grzaniec or Galicyjski, includes only honey, ground cinnamon and cloves. But, in case it might seem a bit bland, in addition to the wine, vodka is added. But not a splash, but 40% of the wine.
- Glühwein, in Germany: Includes brown sugar, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise, nutmeg, and the peel of a lemon and an orange.
- In Sweden and Denmark, Glögg, this mulled wine is made with cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, cardamom, orange peel, raisins, sugar and brandy (in addition to the wine).
Although it is a very typical drink in the Nordic European countries, there are many other versions around the world.
- Bisschopswijn, or Bishop’s Wine, in the Netherlands. This elaboration takes orange, the peel and its juice, lemon peel, cloves, cinnamon stick and white sugar.
- Forralt Bor, in Hungary, also contains cloves, star anise, orange, lemon, cinnamon and sugar.
- United Kingdom: Mulled Wine is a simple recipe that combines orange red wine, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, honey, oranges and a dash of Brandy.
- In Chile: Vino Navegado, a recipe very similar to that of Greece or the United Kingdom, but does not include Brandy. It is made with orange peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves and sugar.
- Quentao, in Brazil. This drink is prepared with white sugar, ginger, lemon, cinnamon and, instead of wine, Cachaza. The latter is an alcoholic beverage obtained from the distillation of fermented sugar cane juice.
- Ponche Navideño in Mexico, as its name indicates, is a drink prepared exclusively for Christmas. It is made with cinnamon, brown sugar, prunes and raisins; chopped apple, pear, tejocotes (or Indian apple) and tamarind, water and rum.
As you can see, there are many options we have to prepare a good mulled wine, almost with the ingredients we like the most.
We have also found a very original recipe, called “Cleopatra’s Elixir of Life”. This mulled wine or spiced wine is made with sage, mint, chopped figs and cloves.
We have also found a very original recipe, called “Cleopatra’s Elixir of Life”. This mulled wine or spiced wine is made with sage, mint, chopped figs and cloves.
And you, do you dare to prepare a delicious mulled wine at home to celebrate his day? Did you know this drink? If you found it interesting, remember to leave us your comments, ideas, opinions… We love to read you!
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