Mulled Wine: The Fanciest of Winter Beverages
Glögg. Vino caliente. Glühwein. Vin brulé. These are all different names for the same winter staple: mulled wine. The Romans are credited as the first to simmer their wine with honey and spices, creating a hot drink to warm them on cold winter nights. They were onto something, because nearly every culture in the world that experiences a snowy winter has its own version of hot spiced wine.
What's So Fancy About Mulled Wine?
Spiced wine ticks all the boxes for winter. First of all, it's cozy, which is why the Romans invented it in the first place. There is nothing like a mug of mulled wine to warm you from head to toe after walking the wintry streets of New York. Secondly, it's classy. You'd be hard pressed to find a prettier beverage than orange slices floating in deep red mulled wine. Thirdly, it's both a beverage and a home fragrance. Wine that has simmered for an hour or so sends those mulling spices drifting through your entire apartment. Who needs a seasonal candle with mulled wine simmering on the back burner? It really should be a staple at all holiday parties, simply by virtue of the fact that it is a three -for -one deal; It's beautiful seasonal decor, home fragrance, and strong party beverage all rolled into one.
Making Mulled Wine
So now that you are convinced not to skip mulled wine this season, here is a simple recipe to get you started.
You will need:
1 liter bottle of red wine with fruity undertones. A red Zinfandel or Merlot are good choices.
1 cup of Grand Marnier (or any other orange liqueur or brandy)
2 fresh oranges plus more for garnishing
1 cup of fresh cranberries
2 cinnamon sticks plus more for garnishing
4 star anise
6 whole cloves
1/2 cup honey
Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and stir to combine. Simmer on medium-low for at least 15 minutes or up to three hours. Yes, it is that simple. The only thing to watch out for is bubbles. If you see bubbles or any sign of boiling, the alcohol will begin to vaporize and that would be a sad day indeed.
Pro tip: to avoid dodging whole cloves floating around when you go to ladle the wine out, push your cloves into one or more of the orange slices. This prevents them from floating into every ladleful of wine all while looking very festive.
Serving Mulled Wine
As a hot beverage, a mug is best for serving mulled wine. Using a ladle, scoop the wine from the top of the simmering pot to avoid the spices that settle at the bottom. This prevents any grittiness from the spices in the beverage. For a fancier presentation, choose a clear mug and garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick and an orange slice. If you really want to wow your guests with as little effort as possible, roast a duck to go with it. Roast duck, like mulled wine, is deceptively simple to make. Pat it dry, score the bird on both sides with a sharp knife, salt generously, and place on a roasting pan breast side down. Pop in the oven for an hour at 425 Fahrenheit. Flip the duck and roast another hour. Check internal temperature with a thermometer and remove when it reaches your preferred level of doneness.
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