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Mulled Wine

(Northern European spiced wine)

Yield: 4-5 servings


INGREDIENTS PREP AMOUNT
Red wine 1 bottle
Sugar 3-5 tablespoons
Cinnamon sticks 2-4 each
Cloves 4-6 each
Cardamom pods 3-4 each
Orange peel 1 each

METHOD

Basic Steps:  Simmer → Strain → Serve
  1. Place all ingredients in a pot and slowly bring to a simmer over a low flame. Do not boil. Cover and let steep on a very low flame for about 15 minutes.
  2. Strain, ladle into mugs and serve.

VARIATIONS

  • Add a few shots of cognac or brandy to the wine just before serving for a more bracing beverage.
  • Vary the amount of sugar and spices to your taste.
  • Drop a couple raisins and an almond or two into each glass if you like.

NOTES

  • Mulled wine, as this spiced wine is known in England, is popular throughout northern Europe around Christmas. In France this warming winter beverage is known as vin brûlé. Germans call it Glühwein. The Swedish name for it is glögg.
  • Make sure that the orange peel has no white pith which would make the wine bitter. This is easy if you peel it with a vegetable peeler.