David J Rice

If there’s one thing I really enjoy about Christmas time is, that it’s a perfect excuse to make mulled wine. There’s nothing better than coming in from the cold to a piping hot glass full of this great tasting drink. So, just in time for those Christmas parties here’s a recipe for mulled wine that I really love. I tried it out last night on a lot of friends and they seemed to love it as much as I do. We also tried some mulled cider, it was my first time making it (or even tasting it) so was a surprise hit.

Mulled Wine (Gluhwein) Recipe

This will make enough for about 6 to 8 glasses full. Just multiply up the ingredients for making more. This recipe is loosely based on this one that I found.

Ingredients you will need

• 1 litre red wine (The cheaper the better)
• 1/6 litre brandy
• 1/8 Litre orange juice
• 1 orange (sliced)
• 1 orange (sliced for garnish)
• 60g white sugar
• 1 1/2 cinamon sticks
• 1/2 lemon (sliced)
• 1/8 tsp allspice
• 1/8 tsp mace
• 4 whole cloves

How to make it

• Grate the orange and lemon to remove their peel and then quarter them.
• Pour the wine into a large pot and begin heating over low heat.
• As it begins to warm, add sugar and spices.
• Stir until sugar is dissolved.
• Add the brandy + orange juice.
• Heat thoroughly, but do not allow to boil!
• Add the lemon and orange quarters and peel.
• Steep for about 1 hour over low heat.
• Keep tasting and adjust the mixture as necessary.
• Strain to remove the bits.
• Serve hot and garnish with orange slices (or cinnamon sticks)

Mulled Cider Recipe

Ingredients you will need

• 2 litres apple cider
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 8 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 orange, quartered with peel

How to make it

• Pour the apple cider into a large pot and begin heating over a low heat
• Add all of the rest of the ingredients into the pot and stir
• Heat thoroughly, but do not allow to boil!
• Steep for about 1 hour over low heat.
• Keep tasting and adjust the mixture as necessary.
• Strain to remove the bits.
• Serve hot and garnish with orange slices (or cinnamon sticks)