Spiced Mulled Wine

Spiced Mulled Wine is one that will truly warm your heart...especially if you enjoy warm beverages. It kind of reminds me of sangria except with deep spicy flavors and a silky texture. This festive drink is a global phenomenon that has been enjoyed since the Roman times and was particularly popular in the middle ages. Mulled Wine dates back all the way to the 2nd century (according to Google) and was originally warmed wine but this version takes things over the top...it's like a mix between mulled wine and apple cider.

Ingredients

Simply Apple Juice and Stella Rosa Black Wine are the base of this beverage. Orange, whole cloves, star anise, and cinnamon sticks act as the aromatics while Brown sugar sweetens the drink and fresh ginger provides a bit of sweet spice.

What is Mulled Wine?

Mulled wine is a classic holiday drink that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is a warm and cozy beverage that is perfect for cold winter nights, special occasions, and holiday parties. This festive drink is a global phenomenon that has been enjoyed since the Roman times and was particularly popular in the middle ages. In this blog post, we will share with you the best mulled wine recipe, along with some variations, substitutions, and easy recipes. So, let's get started!

Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine or hot wine, is a traditional European drink made by heating red or white wine with a combination of warm spices, fruits, and sweeteners. The warm spices used in mulled wine include cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries, and star anise pods. The fruity red wine used for mulled wine often includes notes of citrus and pairs well with warm spices.

What spices should I use to make Spiced Mulled Wine?

The specific use of particular spices in this recipe is what gives it a certain uniqueness. Pure-pressed apple juice is one of those ingredients that make a difference here and one that you should definitely seek out if at all possible. Cinnamon, star anise, ginger, and cloves are what give this drink that spice that warms from the inside out.

Key Equipment Needed

You will need a large pot or medium saucepan, a ladle, and a strainer to make mulled wine. If you have an instant pot or slow cooker, you can also use them to make big batches of mulled wine.

Do you love recipes you can just set and forget? Me too! This is definitely one of those...all there is to do is throw all of the ingredients in a large pot and let the stove do the work. It's ready in 45 minutes and you can fancy it up any way you'd like!

How to make Spiced Mulled Wine

1. In a large pot, combine the Simply Apple Juice and Stella Rosa Black Wine.
2. Add the sliced orange, whole cloves, star anise, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and sliced ginger to the pot.
3. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches a simmer.
4. Once the mixture is simmering, reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Taste the mulled wine and adjust the sweetness or spiciness to your liking.
6. When the wine tastes just right, remove the pot from heat and strain the wine mixture to remove the spices and fruit.
7. Serve the spiced mulled wine warm in glass mugs and garnish with fresh orange slices or cinnamon sticks.

Can I use a different type of wine?

You'll definitely want to stick with a red wine here as it's what gives mulled wine that iconic look and flavor. I chose to go with one of my favorites because I often have it on hand and because I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! Now, I'm not a wine connoisseur by any stretch of the imagination so I wouldn't be the person to recommend a good red alternative but what I can say is that if you like sweet reds, you'll probably like this one! Also, pretty much any red wine would work with this recipe..if you choose a different red and you prefer it a little sweeter, you can adjust the amount of brown sugar.

Storing Mulled Wine

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply heat the wine mixture on low heat until warm.

Easy Mulled Wine Recipes

If you're short on time, here are some easy mulled wine recipes that you can make

• Slow Cooker Mulled Wine: Add all the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours.

• Microwave Mulled Wine: Combine all the ingredients in a microwave-safe container and heat for 2-3 minutes or until warm.
• Paper Cup Mulled Wine: If you're hosting a large holiday gathering and don't want to use glass mugs, serve mulled wine in paper cups.

Alcohol Content

Mulled wine has an alcohol content similar to the wine you use. The heat from the simmering process will burn off some of the alcohol, but not all of it. If you want to make a non-alcoholic version of mulled wine, simply omit the wine and add more apple cider or juice.

Substitutions

If you don't have all the spices listed above, you can use ground spices instead. Use 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ground cloves, and ½ teaspoon of ground allspice in place of the whole spices. You can also substitute apple cider with apple juice or orange juice.

Variations

There are lots of variations to the traditional mulled wine recipe. Here are some great options:

• White Wine Mulled Wine: Substitute the red wine with a fruity white wine such as Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc.
• Maple Mulled Wine: Substitute the brown sugar with maple syrup for a natural sweetener.
• Chai Spiced Mulled Wine: Add a chai tea bag to the wine mixture for an extra spicy kick.
• Nordic Mulled Wine: Add fresh cranberries to the wine mixture for a Scandinavian twist.
• Instant Pot Mulled Wine: Use an instant pot to make mulled wine in under 10 minutes.

Enjoy this Spiced Mulled Wine!

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