Is there ever a special occasion needed to serve a busy mum up a nice glass of wine?
We all know the answer to that.
Rocking all things mum while keeping everything around us in order deserves a high five – and in true WMBT form, we do that with style.
So we’re turning the usual glass of red up a notch with our favourite Mulled Wine recipe.
Picture this, it’s the end of a long day – the little beasts are tucked in their beds, and you have a few moments to yourself to curl up with a cup and sneak in a good read or Netflix and chill with your partner.
That dream of a scene won’t be complete without this comforting drink in hand.
And guess what, mums, if you like this recipe, you will enjoy the other nine included in WMBT’s soon-to-be-released booklet, "Drinks for Mum". There you’ll find a range of recipes – from hearty hot chocolate to a power smoothie to an ice-cold gin and tonic. It’s always a great idea to have season-spanning, all-occasion beverages on standby! So be sure to check that one out, too.
Let’s Mull It Over
The origins of Mulled Wine are long and colourful. In fact, it’s been around practically forever (literally, since the middle ages)!
You can get with the Greeks and use whichever combination of fruits and spices you have on hand, do it as the Romans did and sweeten the wine with honey, or try the Gluhwein version of Germany by adding a shot of rum or amaretto.
One of the most unique versions we’ve tried is the Glogg from Sweden – made with blanched almonds, raisins, cardamom, and a touch of sugar.
There are plenty of delicious variations for Mulled Wine, but at its simplest, it’s a wine that’s been sweetened, spiced and simmered on the stove. It’s served warm and occasionally with a bit of hard liquor.
We Put The “Mmmm!” in Mulled Wine
This mulled wine recipe is perfectly spiced and laced with notes of orange, allspice, star anise, cinnamon, and cloves.
We love this spicy, comforting wine at the WMBT HQ, especially because of how it makes the whole place smell festive when it's simmering on the stove – Christmas season is completely optional!
Although perfect for winding down a busy day, this also works great as a party starter drink when having a few friends over.
Here’s what’s in our cup:
- Red Wine. Any dry, inexpensive red wine works well since it will be infused with other flavours. Choose the one you enjoy drinking, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Malbec.
- Fresh Oranges. Oranges are a classic addition to mulled wine because they add complexity and natural sweetness.
- Spices. This recipe uses whole cloves, allspice balls, star anise and cinnamon sticks. Take care to remove all the spices before serving.
- Sweetener. We used maple syrup, but other sweeteners like sugar or honey would also work. Or, you may choose to eliminate this completely.
Add a splash of fun to this traditional drink by serving it up along with reusable silicone straw. This WMBT Bendie Straw is a household staple for kids of any age! These colourful cuties are also dishwasher and mother-earth-friendly.
That’s one way of drinking responsibly. (wink)
TIPS FOR THE PERFECT MULLED WINE
- Simmer at low heat, and take care not to let your mixture boil.
- These are meant to be served warm so it’s best to use mugs or heat-resistant glasses.
- Swap out your stovetop with a crockpot on low.
- Made a batch too many? Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat on low heat to enjoy for up to three more days.
Makes 4 Glasses Mulled Wine | Prep 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 750 ml (1 bottle) red wine
- 3 whole cloves
- 4 whole allspice balls
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 star anise
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 large orange
Method
Cut the orange in half.
Add the juice of one-half to a large saucepan.
Cut the remaining half into slices and place in the pan.
Add all remaining ingredients and mix well.
Heat gently over medium heat and simmer for up to an hour.
When ready to serve, transfer to glasses or mugs and remove the whole spices. Enjoy!
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