How to make perfect mulled wine
14th Dec 2018 Drinks
Delight your friends and family with this ultimate warming beverage...
Mulling alcoholic drinks is a common activity throughout the world and the variations in recipes are endless. This festive season we’re sharing the recipe for a Scandinavian mulled wine—not only does it taste great, but it also has one of the best booze names we know: Glögg.
Ingredients:
- 1 x 750ml bottle of red wine
- 375ml port
- 6 cardamom pods
- 5cm piece of root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
- 12 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Zest of an orange
- 125ml brandy or rum
To serve:
- Raisins
- Flaked almonds
- Orange peel
- Sugar, to taste
Method:
1. Pour the wine and port into a pan. Crack the cardamom pods and scrape the seeds into the liquid, discarding the empty husks (these can make your wine bitter).
2. Roughly chop or grate a 5cm chunk of ginger and add it to the pan along with the cloves, cinnamon stick and the zest of an orange (avoid the pith which, again, is too bitter for this booze).
3. Heat the liquid until it’s just shy of boiling point. Remove the pan from the heat, cover with a lid and leave to stand for 45 minutes to allow all the spicy flavours to infuse.
4. Strain the liquid and return it to the pan. Add the brandy or rum to make the drink even boozier.
5. When you’re ready to serve your glögg, gently warm the liquid before pouring it into heat resistant mugs.
6. Sprinkle a few raisins, flaked almonds and thin strips of orange peel into each cup (and for sweet-toothed drinkers you should also provide the option of sugar). Grip your mug in both hands (fingerless gloves are optional), move your nostrils towards the liquid and inhale deeply before slowly sipping. You are now ready for Christmas.
