Not only tea can warm in the cold season. Although the hug of a loved one is in the first place, mulled wine is something you should not refuse too. But how to cook mulled wine? Must it be made of wine? Is it possible to choose all the necessary spices yourself, or is only a ready-made option suitable?
History of occurrence
Mulled wine is a heated alcoholic beverage based on red wine, sugar and spices. He has a large number of cooking recipes and a curious history of the appearance.
It is believed that mulled wine is a German drink borrowed from the ancient Romans, who heated wine in the cold season. However, there is evidence that the Romans had a punch, but mulled wine is an invention of the Indians. True, they drank wine there cold, adding fruit and sugar to it. So it is impossible to reliably determine who was the first to enhance the taste of wine.
In the first century AD, the first mulled wine recipe was recorded. In the cookbook of Mark Gavius Apicius, the following are considered integral components:
- Honey.
- Mastic.
- Pepper.
- Dates.
- Saffron.
- Bay leaf.
Interestingly, all of the above ingredients were boiled in wine, but before serving, they were diluted with a classic grape drink.
With the collapse of the Roman Empire, the classic recipe for mulled wine began to change. So, first dates and their fried bones left it. Then the set of spices also changed. Those versions of mulled wine that exist now are not very similar to the same Roman drink.
Those who are sure that Germany is the birthplace of fragrant mulled wine can reflect on traditional hot drinks from different parts of Europe, for example, Britain and France. Mulled wine is associated with the Germans due to the fact that the name, which is usually called hot spicy wine, came from this country.
DIY spices
Centuries ago, mulled wine ingredients were very expensive and rare. Therefore, only wealthy people could afford such a drink. But at the moment there is such a variety of different spices, fruits and seasonings that many find their perfect recipe for mulled wine. But there are generally accepted options.
It is believed that red wine, sugar and honey are necessarily present in the classic recipe. The rest is added based on personal preferences: cloves, cardamom, ginger, anise, cinnamon, nutmeg and so on.
Classic Mulled Wine Recipe
Classic mulled wine with honey should not boil. It is only necessary to heat the wine until the white foam disappears.
To prepare the perfect drink per liter of wine you need to take:
- 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg;
- 7 clove buds;
- 1/3 cup of water;
- a teaspoon of honey;
- a tablespoon of sugar.
Just unload everything in one container will be wrong. Everything needs to be done in stages. You need to start with work with the Turk. In addition to water, ground nutmeg and cloves are placed in it. After boiling, keep the Turk on low heat for about a minute. It is important that the aroma and taste of the decoction is revealed. It is recommended to let the broth brew for 15 minutes.
After this time, the heated wine and broth are mixed, adding sugar and honey. On low heat, the drink will not last long. As soon as bubbles appear, symbolizing boiling, the drink is ready to drink.
Mulled wine with an orange
There is another recipe for delicious mulled wine. In addition to dry wine, it must include:
- one medium orange;
- 2 "stars" of anise;
- one cinnamon stick;
- 6 clove buds;
- 2 peas of black pepper;
- two tablespoons of honey or sugar;
- a pinch of ground nutmeg.
From the dishes in this case only a pan is required. Wine is poured into it and brought to the stage when a foam forms on it. If the wine boils, it will not only lose its properties, but can also significantly spoil the taste. So, as soon as the foam is formed, the wine must be set aside.
Meanwhile, the orange should be doused with boiling water and, without removing the peel, cut into slices or rings. Orange and all spices should be sent to a pot of wine.
And again, as soon as white foam appears, mulled wine should be removed from the stove. But this time it needs to be covered. Five minutes later, boldly serve it to the table!
French mulled wine
There is another interesting way to make mulled wine. It is called French because of the fortress and oak flavor. The latter, by the way, appears because of the skate, which is needed by prescription.
- a bottle of wine;
- half a lemon;
- 150 grams of sugar;
- 150 ml of brandy.
Sugar and a little later lemon juice are added to the heated wine. Without bringing the wine to white foam, they put in it what is left of the citrus after squeezing - zest and pulp. Everything should boil. When foam appears, it is necessary to pour cognac and remove the drink from the fire. Five minutes later, the fragrant mulled wine is ready to eat.
Fruit Alcohol Mulled Wine
And again, a liter of red wine is included in the mulled wine recipe, which must be immediately put on fire. It is necessary to immerse in it:
- star anise star;
- Apple;
- lemon;
- honey;
- two peas of allspice;
- half a teaspoon of cinnamon;
- orange.
It is recommended to cut the fruit into slices, stir the Asam drink constantly, keeping it on low heat. Such mulled wine can be drunk as soon as the first signs of boiling appear.
Apple Mulled Wine
On the Web you can find more than one recipe for mulled wine with an orange and an apple. But the most fragrant is the following set of ingredients:
- a bottle of red wine;
- two oranges;
- five cardamom grains;
- a tablespoon of honey;
- 50 ml of brandy;
- two apples;
- two cinnamon sticks.
From one apple and an orange you need to make fresh. And the remaining fruit cut into cubes. Everything, except honey, must be put in a saucepan and brought to 70 degrees over low heat and removed from heat.
After 15 minutes under the lid, the resulting drink must be filtered, then add honey to it and pour into glasses.
The specialty of the mulled wine recipe with orange and apple is in fresh juices. You can, of course, cook without them, but then an interesting fruity accent is lost.
Coffee Mulled Wine
The name speaks for itself. In addition to a bottle of wine, the recipe for such mulled wine also includes a cup of brewed strong natural coffee. A soluble analogue will not work.
No spices are needed. In addition to wine and coffee, you need 150 sugar and 100 grams of cognac.
The preparation of the drink occurs in stages:
- The wine is heated until the formation of white foam.
- Coffee and sugar are added, and the resulting drink is kept on low heat for a couple of minutes.
- Before serving, add cognac to the drink and mix thoroughly.
The spice of such mulled wine is the rich taste of coffee and a touch of oak cognac.
White wine in mulled wine
Although it is believed that the classic version for mulled wine is red wine, some eagerly drink and praise the white wine drink. Probably, the point is in liquor, which is an integral part of the recipe.
- a bottle of white wine;
- orange liquor - 50 ml;
- zest of one lemon;
- two cinnamon sticks;
- one orange;
- a glass of orange fresh;
- a pair of clove buds;
- five cardamom grains;
- a glass of sugar or honey.
Cooking is the same as in the previous version. But how to cook mulled wine without wine at all?
Non-alcoholic mulled wine
Some people basically do not drink alcoholic beverages, but this should not deprive them of the joy of taking mulled wine. There are at least three ways to make mulled wine. Each of them deserves special attention.
In the first embodiment, the drink is based on natural apple juice. For one liter you need to take one apple, the zest of one lemon and an orange, several sticks of cinnamon, a couple of buds of cloves, one orange, a glass of sugar and a little nutmeg. It’s all worth immediately putting on fire. To a boil, like classic mulled wine, its non-alcoholic variation should not be brought.
The second less expensive option is based on hibiscus tea. You need to brew 12 flowers and let the tea brew. Either a ready-made seasoning for mulled wine is added to the resulting broth, the composition of which is easy to recognize on the package, or they are selected from the above options. The only thing that is important to consider is the amount of sugar. It must be chosen to taste.
There is another recipe that uses not wine, but natural juices. To make the combination perfect you need to put it in a pan:
- cherry and grape juice;
- half a lemon;
- 2 anise stars
- orange;
- 4 buds of cloves;
- Apple;
- a little nutmeg.
In the preparation of such a drink, all the ingredients for mulled wine should be placed in the dishes alternately. The first to put the fruit and fill them with juices.
As soon as the first signs of boiling appear, you need to add spices and hold for a little over low heat. After a minute, remove and let it infuse. The resulting cocktail should be filtered and served hot.
The benefits of mulled wine
The healing properties of wine are known to mankind. It is often recommended to drink a small amount of this grape drink for colds, slightly heating it. But mulled wine on wine has a wider spectrum of action.
Cold. Mulled wine helps to expand blood vessels and speed up blood circulation. Thanks to such stimulation, the body is more quickly absorbed by oxygen and receives the necessary trace elements. Moreover, warm wine has the ability to kill pathogenic bacteria. In tandem with seasonings for mulled wine, this drink will help warm the body and speed up the healing process.
Gastrointestinal tract. Mulled wine normalizes metabolism and inhibits the development of infections in the digestive tract. The intestinal microflora and pancreas, due to stimulation with a warm wine drink, work more harmoniously.
Emotional condition. It is believed that in addition to the warming effect, mulled wine perfectly relieves stress. It is noted that after a cup of hot mulled wine, psycho-emotional overstrain subsides, and sleep becomes strong, sweet and, most importantly, healthy.
Vessels. The trace elements contained in wine prevent the appearance of atherosclerosis. And its vasodilating effect makes the blood paths more elastic.
Blood. The blood itself is influenced by seasoning for mulled wine, which often includes cinnamon and ginger. These spices perfectly cleanse the body of cholesterol.
But mulled wine has a number of contraindications.
Mulled wine
Whatever mulled wine recipe you choose, you get an acidic drink that is definitely contraindicated for people with high acidity. The use of this fragrant drink may result in an ambulance call.
Those who prefer to drink alcoholic mulled wine should remember that despite the thermal processing of wine, spirits still remain in the drink. Therefore, you can not drink mulled wine for pregnant women and those who have reduced patency of blood vessels.
Those who suffer from alcohol addiction should also forget about mulled wine. It is better for such people to use the non-alcoholic option, the recipe of which can be found above.
Thus, when planning to drink a cup of hot mulled wine, make sure that you have no contraindications. And get ready for an unforgettable evening in the company of spicy taste and bright aromas!