Mulled wine
Did you know mulled wine was originally created by the Romans in the 2nd century during the winter to keep themselves warm? Many also believed in drinking mulled wine for health and to avoid sickness.
Apart from spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, people would also add herbs and flowers to their mulled wine as natural sweeteners to make wines taste better.
It’s now enjoyed as a popular winter traditionally and is so easy to make, especially using our mulled spice mix.
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
1 (750 ml) bottle of dry red wine or sweet apple cider
1 orange, sliced into rounds (also peeled, if you would like a less-bitter drink)
2-4 tablespoons sugar, honey, or maple syrup to taste (or your desired sweetener)
optional add-in: 1/4 cup brandy (or your favourite liqueur)
optional garnishes: citrus slices (orange, lemon and/or lime), extra cinnamon sticks, extra star anise
Instructions
Add wine or sweet apple cider ,orange slices, mulled wine mix, 2 tablespoons sweetener, and brandy (optional) to a large saucepan. Stir gently to combine
Cook the mulled wine on medium-high heat until it almost starts to simmer. (Avoid letting it bubble — you don’t want to boil off the alcohol).
Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours
Using a fine mesh strainer, remove and discard the orange slices and spices. Give the mulled wine a taste, and stir in extra sweetener if needed
Serve warm in heatproof mugs, topped with your favourite garnish