Associated with warmth, happiness, laughter and good health, mulled wine is the quintessential Christmas drink.
Although we think of mulled wine as a Victorian tradition, it actually traces right back to the Roman Empire, where warming the wine was used to defend themselves against the cold winters. Originally honey was boiled into the wine with spices and dates, the Romans would then blend it together and add better quality wine, the Romans, were kind enough to share this tradition with all of Europe!
Homemade Mulled Wine
Whilst supermarkets can provide us with exceptional bottles of mulled wine, you only have to look through the myriad mouth-watering recipes available online to see that making it yourself is not a difficult task.
If the kitchen is not usually your domain, you can break yourself in gently with the wonderful classic mulled wine recipe, where spices are added to a good red wine and slowly infused. Whilst many will add a variety of spices, the best classic recipes stick with cinnamon, star anise and cloves. A hint of citrus fruit and a sprinkling of sugar and the result? Close your eyes and you can hear the log fire crackling, imagine the glow from sparkling fairy lights and The Holiday on tv.
You can find the full traditional mulled wine recipe and method here on the BBC Good Food website.
Mulled Sloe Gin
If wine isn’t your tipple, never fear. The fabulously versatile Christmas spices can be blended with other alcoholic options, and one of our personal favourites is the Mulled Sloe Gin. It is every bit as delicious as it sounds!
Mulled Wine Hot Chocolate
Yes you read that right, when researching recipes for this article we stumbled upon this fantastic idea from Olive.com who say you can use up left over red wine (is there such a thing?) to jazz up a hot chocolate. Click here to view their simple to follow mulled wine hot chocolate recipe.
Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine
Squeezing in festive visits with aunties and uncles, parents, cousins and all manner of other folk into a few precious days off, often involves driving and someone being the designated, responsible adult. However, this does not mean you are restricted to teas and coffees to warm you this Christmas. This non–alcoholic version of mulled wine can bring you that warm and fuzzy festive feeling, without the matching fuzzy head in the morning.
Packed with sharp fruity flavours, warming spices and the familiar citrus zing, this drink is both thirst and soul quenching.
Ultimately, whatever your version of Mulled Wine looks like; traditional and homely, exciting and modern or decadent and indulgent, or indeed a tipple suited to the Christmas travellers, there is a mulled solution for every occasion!
If you would like to share any of YOUR favourite mulled recipes, or photographs of you enjoying them (along with the bombshell kitchens that are often in the background), pop along to our Facebook or Instagram page we would love to see your creations!
*Please drink responsibly, #drinkaware
