A glass of mulled wine
Mulled wine has a rich history that dates back to the Roman Empire. As the Romans expanded into colder regions of Europe, they sought ways to warm themselves during the winter months. Heating wine and spicing it with ingredients like cloves, cinnamon, and honey made it a comforting beverage and helped preserve the wine and mask imperfections (wine in the Roman Empire times was nowhere near as good quality as it is now). Over the centuries, mulled wine has become a holiday staple in many countries, celebrated in Christmas markets (like the Vancouver Christmas Market in downtown Vancouver) and festive gatherings. The tradition of adding local spices and fruits has made each version unique to its region, carrying the warmth and spirit of the season.
A Mulled Wine Recipe to Warm Your Winter Nights
Ingredients:
1 bottle of medium-bodied red wine (suggested: Hester Creek Select Vineyards Merlot 2019, Okanagan Valley)
1/4 cup sugar or honey
2 cinnamon sticks
4 whole cloves
2 star anise
Zest of 1 orange
Optional: orange slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish
Instructions:
Pour the wine into a medium-sized pot.
Add sugar (or honey), cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and orange zest to the pot.
Heat the mixture over low heat for about 20 minutes.
This Article was originally published on My Wine Pal
