Add different aromatics: Feel free to add in whatever aromatics sound fun! Fresh ginger slices, cardamom pods, nutmeg, allspice or lemon zest are some other great aromatics to try. Also known as glühwein, vino caliente, glögg, vin brulé, bisschopswijn, vin chaud, candola, vinho quente…or literally a hundred other names, depending on where in the world life may find you. Needless to say, it seems like just about everyone in the world loves some hot wine. And clearly, I can vouch that you all do too! Brandy: Similar to sangria, it’s also traditional to spike your mulled wine with an extra bit of liqueur. Brandy is the traditional choice, but Cointreau (or another orange liqueur) or tawny port are also delicious alternatives. Mulling spices: These vary in mulled wine from country to country, but whole cloves and star anise are my favorites, plus perhaps a few cardamom pods. While there are some great spice mixes on the market if you do not have the time nor inclination to make your own mulled wine spice mix there is nothing quite like making your own. It feels better and tastes better and you have the satisfaction of creating something special for your loved ones.

Once you have your sachets made and placed in your jars, all that’s left is tying your tags onto the jars using ribbon or twine. Wine | Don't go all out on an expensive bottle of wine for this Mulled Wine Recipe as the flavors are going to be somewhat transformed thanks to the other ingredients. Grab yourself a decent-priced bottle of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, or merlot.

The delectable aromas of blended spices and fruit are the perfect way to welcome guests in the holiday season. Creating your own mulling spice mix is easy, whether you're using the mix for drinkable treats or stovetop scents.

While it’s quite common to use a Dutch oven or large pot to prepare mulled wine, experimenting with other cookware options can yield interesting results. An Instant Pot could potentially lessen the total preparation time. To do so, set it to the “keep warm” function, ensuring that the heat it provides is not too aggressive. Technically, you could use a red or white wine to make this Mulled Wine Recipe; however, white wine is not traditional. MULLED WINE SPICES All you have to do is heat some apple cider, add your homemade mulling spice sachets, and then simmer until the flavor is right where you want it. When selecting a wine for the mulled wine recipe, consider opting for a full-bodied variety. Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon are popular options, while Zinfandel and Grenache offer an interesting change-of-pace for more adventurous palates. Although higher-quality wines generally produce superior mulled wine, avoid using overly expensive bottles, as the flavor nuances can be overwhelmed by the additional ingredients.

Using a slow cooker on a low heat setting is an excellent option for maintaining the ideal temperature, as it ensures even and controlled heating. Simply set the cooker to low and let it do the work for you. It also keeps the mulled wine warm for an extended period, making it ideal for serving at gatherings. Serving and Garnishing Step 2: Cut a section of baker’s twine long enough to float the spices in a large pot, and still wrap around the handle to prevent the tag from falling in. Tie a large knot at one end, and wrap some excess around two fingers to bundle it in a neat coil – this will be stored inside the tag until the spices are being used. Set the coiled twine aside briefly. The best wines for making mulled wine are those that are full-bodied, dry, fruity, and not overly sweet. Zinfandel, Granche, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon all work well.Sweetener: Feel free to add your favorite sweetener to taste. Sugar is classic, but I prefer to naturally sweeten mine with either maple syrup or honey. Experimentation with various types of red wines, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, or Grenache, can lead to interesting taste combinations. For a milder variation, consider using a white wine or Malbec instead. Small muslin bags are the easiest as once you have your spice mix you can just fill them up and pull the string then they are ready. You can also choose to make your spice bags from muslin squares and cut them to size. This makes a sweet little gift and is a great way to use up store-cupboard ingredients. If you want to be really generous, gift the other mulled wine ingredients, too, be that the wine, honey or maple syrup, orange juice or even a bottle of spirits. Note that all the ingredients for the pouch are optional – I’ve included a long list in the hope that you’ll have at least some of them to hand. Like chai tea, mulled wine recipes vary greatly, and are delicious even when made with just a few spices. Red wine is the base of this recipe. I gathered my best tips on how to choose a good wine for Glühwine down below.