Spiced Mulled Wine
This warm beverage is made by simmering red wine with aromatic spices, citrus zest, and vanilla to create a fragrant, flavorful drink. The final result is a rich, slightly cloudy liquid with a warming, spicy aroma and a hint of fruitiness, served steaming hot.
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Wooden spoon or ladle
Ingredients
- 750 ml red wine preferably full-bodied
- 2 sticks cinnamon whole sticks
- 3 cloves whole cloves spiked into the wine
- 1 orange orange zested and sliced
- 1 vanilla bean vanilla bean split lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup for sweetness
Instructions
- Pour the red wine into a large saucepan and place it over medium heat. Warm without boiling, allowing the wine to just begin to steam gently and release its rich aroma.
- Add the whole cinnamon sticks, cloves, and slices of orange to the wine. These spices and citrus will infuse the drink with warm, fragrant notes.
- Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds; add both the seeds and the pod to the simmering wine for added aroma and flavor.
- Reduce the heat to low and let everything simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes, not boiling, to allow the flavors to meld and the citrus zest to brighten the mixture.
- Stir in honey or maple syrup to taste, balancing the spice and acidity with a touch of sweetness. Continue to warm until the sweetener dissolves completely.
- Remove the saucepan from heat, strain out the spices and citrus slices if desired, and serve the mulled wine hot, pouring into mugs with some of the citrus slices for garnish.
