Curled up on the couch, a good book in one hand and a glass of warm mulled wine in the other, is something that many people look forward to, come winter.
The spiced, smokey and astringent flavours of mulled wine give comfort like no other, specially when the temperatures are dropping. But what is this beverage and how is it different from regular wine?
What is Mulled Wine?
Mulled wine is an alcoholic beverage that is commonly made using red wine and various mulling spices like cinnamon, star anise, cloves and even sliced oranges. It is a traditional warm winter drink that is popularly consumed around Christmas.
Mulled Wine v/s Regular Wine
If you’re looking to understand the difference between mulled wine and just a regular bottle of red wine, let us clue you in.
- Although a number of wines have similar fruity and tart flavour profiles, mulled wine’s flavours are comparatively more robust, giving a fuller mouth feel.
- Mulled wine usually has stronger fruit flavours and is sweeter due to the added sugar, fruit and sometimes even fruit juice.
- Regular wine is usually served at a much colder temperature than mulled wine, which is served warm, or at best, at room temperature.
This beloved drink is easy to prepare at home and makes for the perfect beverage during the holidays.
Ingredients:
2 sachets of Native Tongue Mulling Spices
500 ml Red Wine
½ tsp of honey (optional)
1. In a pan, simmer the red wine along with the Native Tongue Mulling spices for around 10-15 minutes.
2. Add in the honey and stir well until incorporated.
3. Serve warm in a wine goblet or your favourite mug.
Tips:
- To make a non-alcoholic version, replace wine with apple juice.
- If you’re looking for a sweeter mulled wine, use port wine instead.
- Try and use a dry, full bodied red wine for the best flavour.