Mulled wine is a great way to warm up the winter season. It’s a drink that has been around since ancient Roman times and it’s the perfect beverage to serve at a holiday party or family gathering.
There are many different ways to make mulled wine at home. One of the easiest is to use a slow cooker. You can even make a batch ahead of time and refrigerate it, making it ready to enjoy on a busy day when you don’t have the time to stand over the stove for a long period of time.
If you don’t want to use a slow cooker, you can also just mix all of the ingredients together in a large saucepan and heat on the stove until the liquid is simmering. This will take about 30 minutes or so.
Traditionally, mulled wine uses red wine, but it can also be made with white wine. Just be sure to use a wine with a low alcohol content.
You can also add a little brandy or rum to the mixture, which will add an extra layer of flavor. You can also add fresh cranberries or blackberries to the mulled wine, which will add a really sweet note of flavor.
To make a traditional recipe, you’ll need a bottle of wine and a variety of spices. The most popular choices include cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, but you can experiment with other flavors to create something unique.
For this classic mulled wine, we’re using a dry red wine to complement the spices. Some examples of good dry wines are California Zinfandel, Grenache or Merlot.
When preparing the wine, you’ll need a pot or Dutch oven that can accommodate all of the ingredients. It’s a good idea to use a pot that has a lid, as this will ensure the mulled wine stays hot while you serve it.
Start by combining the wine, cider, honey and orange zest in a medium-sized pot. Stir to combine and heat over medium-high heat until the wine almost reaches a simmer. Do not allow the liquid to boil or it will lose its flavor.
Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Strain it through a fine mesh strainer to remove any sediments. If you have a spice sachet, place the sachet in the pot and stir to incorporate it.
You can also simply use a variety of whole spices like nutmeg, allspice or cardamom. But, it’s best to keep the spices in a muslin sachet so that they don’t become gritty when added to the liquid.
When the mulled wine is ready, you can ladle it into your favorite heatproof glasses and garnish with orange slices or cinnamon sticks. This is an easy way to make a festive, seasonal beverage for your next event!