The best drink when it's cold outside: Mulled Wine

"I have always been a wine lover.

But it wasn't until the first Christmas I spent in France last winter that I came to realize that I am totally a mulled wine lover too! As the fist thing comes to my mind every time when I think about Christmas Market, mulled wine is seriously the perfect drink to warm you up in the evening after a chilly day out in the cold."

 
So this week we're going to introduce you the MULLED WINE!

Mulled wine is a special beverage of European region which usually made with red wine, various mulling spices and some fruits. It is served hot or warm and may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic.It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas.

Origins

Wine was first recorded as spiced and heated in Rome during the 2nd century. The Romans traveled all across Europe, conquering much of it and trading with the rest. The legions brought wine and viticulture with them up to the Rhine and Danube rivers and to the Scottish border bringing their recipes with them.

The Form of Curry,a medieval English cookery book from 1390 mentioned mulled wine, says: "Pur fait Ypocras …" grinding together cinnamon, ginger, cloves, long pepper, nutmeg, marjoram, cardamom, and grains of paradise ("spykenard de Spayn", rosemary may be substituted). This is mixed with red wine and sugar (form and quantity unstated).

Recipe of Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is very popular and traditional in Europe during Christmas holidays. Over the years the recipe for mulled wine has evolved with different culture and the tastes.

As for British culture, there is no specific recipe for mulled wine and the spices involved in its recipe. However, this is commonly a combination of orange, lemon, cinnamon, nutmeg, fennel seed (or star anise), cloves, cardamom, and ginger.

And for German-speaking countries,mulled wine is usually prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star aniseed, citrus, sugar and at times vanilla pods.

But in France, mulled wine which is called "Vin Chaud" in French typically consists of red wine mixed with honey, various mulling spices, and orange. 

Since we tried our first mulled wine in the Christmas Market in France, we're going to introduce you a traditional french one.

Vin Chaud (Mulled Wine)

Spiced mulled wine is a winter favorite -- warm, flavorful, and always so comforting!

PREP: 5 MINS COOK: 20 MINS TOTAL: 25 MINS

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (750 ml) bottle of red wine (choose something fruity but not too sweet. Merlot, Zinfandel, or Cabernet Sauvignon all work well)
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• 1/4 cup brandy (optional)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 5 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise
• optional garnishes: citrus slices (orange, lemon and/or lime), extra cinnamon sticks, extra star anise

DIRECTIONS:

Put all ingredients in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Let this simmer for at least 15 minutes. Then keep on a rolling boil for about 4 to 5 minutes. Strain, and serve warm with your desired garnishes.

*You can also place the oranges, cloves, cinnamon, and star anise in a cheesecloth. Then simply strain and pull out the bundle when ready to serve.

This is dead simple to make and tastes like Christmas in a glass.