Next week, I’ll be wandering the romantic, cobbled streets of Montmartre, a glass of fragrant, steaming mulled wine in hand. I can already picture the twinkling Christmas lights, the cheerful chatter of the markets and the feeling of holiday joy. There’s something so enchanting about Paris in the winter. The experience is simply incomplete without partaking in the ritual of sipping on vin chaud. This festive mulled wine is a true taste of a Parisian Christmas.
This soul-warming beverage, a classic winter wine recipe, has a history as rich and complex as its flavour. The tradition of making this warm spiced wine dates back to the 2nd century. The Romans would warm their wine to ward off the cold. The mulled wine history continued to evolve and by the Middle Ages, it was a beloved drink. Spices were added as it was believed to promote good health. Its association with Christmas was solidified in Victorian England, making it the holiday mulled wine we know and love today.
Today, you’ll find variations of this festive drink all over the world, from Germany’s Glühwein to the Nordic Glögg. But you don’t have to travel to a European Christmas market to enjoy this winter warmer. You can learn how to make the best mulled wine right at home with this easy mulled wine recipe.
The Best Mulled Wine Recipe
The key to a delicious homemade mulled wine is to start with the best red wine for mulled wine. A fruity, full-bodied wine like a Merlot, Zinfandel, or Grenache is ideal. You want something that can hold its own against the spices without being overpowering.
Mulled Wine Ingredients:
•1 bottle of red wine (Merlot, Zinfandel, or Grenache)
•1/4 cup of brandy (optional, but recommended for extra warmth)
•2 small oranges (or 1 large one)
•4 whole cloves
•2 cinnamon sticks
•2 star anise
•1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey, to taste
•Fresh cranberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions on How to Make Mulled Wine:
1.Pour the wine and brandy into a large pot.
2.Squeeze the juice from one of the oranges into the pot. Slice the other orange into rounds and add them to the pot along with the cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise. These are the core mulled wine ingredients for that classic spiced wine recipe flavour.
3.Gently heat the mixture over low to medium heat until it is steaming. Be careful not to let it boil, as this will burn off the alcohol and alter the flavour of the wine.
4.Stir in one tablespoon of maple syrup or honey and taste. Add more if you prefer a sweeter drink.
5.For a festive touch, toss in a handful of fresh cranberries before serving your Christmas mulled wine.
6.Ladle the mulled wine into mugs, and garnish with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick.
What to Serve with Mulled Wine
Wondering about mulled wine food pairings? While this warm spiced wine is the best on its own, it also pairs beautifully with a variety of foods. For a savoury option, try serving it with a cheese board featuring bold cheeses like Stilton, Gorgonzola, or an aged Cheddar. The creamy, nutty flavours of Gruyère or Emmental also complement the spices in the wine. On the sweet side, you can’t go wrong with traditional mince pies, gingerbread cookies, or a simple plate of shortbread.
So, for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, as the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, I invite you to embrace the warmth and cheer of the holiday season with a comforting mug of homemade mulled wine. But for those of us, like me, down in Australia, who says we have to miss out on the fun? Never mind that it might be scorching hot outside or blowing a summer gale – the incredible aroma of this spiced wine filling the house is a tradition worth upholding, even if it means cranking up the air-con. It’s a festive act of defiance against the weather! Whether you’re dreaming of Parisian streets or simply enjoying the fragrant magic indoors, this traditional mulled wine recipe is sure to make your season a little more special.
