Mulled Wine (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean when a wine is mulled? ›

The word “mull” means to “to heat, sweeten, and flavor (a beverage, such as wine or cider) with spices,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Indeed, mulled wine, or spiced wine, is served and enjoyed while hot, making it a perfect drink for the holidays.

Not much. Mulled wine is warmed, not boiled. Usually with added spices. Whether in a still or in boeuf bourguignon, the higher the heat, the more alcohol is released.

Does the alcohol cook out when making mulled wine? In short, yes, some of the alcohol burns off when boiling mulled wine, but you should only be gently bringing up to the boil and simmering for around 15-30 minutes which isn't enough time to completely remove all alcohol traces.

Gluhwein is the German term for a hot spiced wine (It is actually spelled gluehwein, or there are two dots, (an umlaut) over the letter 'u'). Mulled wine is an English language term for hot spiced wine. They may not taste the same because there are many recipes that people have to make hot spice wine.

Mulled Wine Ingredients:

Wine: No need to splurge on a pricey bottle — a mid-range bottle of dry red or white wine will do. (Or if you're making a big batch, this is a great recipe to break out a nicer boxed wine too!)

Most do enjoy this festive drink as a winter warmer, but drinking it chilled is always an option too if that's your preference. Or you can even use your mulled wine to make a mulled wine co*cktail … which is said to be a great party drink (here's a simple recipe for a mulled wine co*cktail from BBC Good Food).

The red wine base in mulled wine brings its own set of health benefits. Resveratrol is associated with heart health benefits and may help protect the lining of blood vessels, lower bad cholesterol levels, and prevent blood clots. When consumed in moderation, red wine has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.

As its popularity continued to grow throughout the middle ages, Europeans would mix heated wine with spices because they believed it would promote health and avoid sickness. They would also use herbs and flowers as natural sweeteners to make unpalatable wines taste a lot nicer.

This drink is consumed enormously in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Sweden and Denmark, where it is called Glögg and Gløgg respectively (terms meaning "mulled wine" in each language). In Germany, as in most Germanic countries, it is mainly consumed under the name Glühwein.

But fear not, hot cider, hot toddy, and mulled wine lovers: Around 85 percent of your beloved alcohol will survive the heating process. The U.S. Department of Agriculture did a study in 2007 that nailed down the numbers with the magic of the scientific method.

Can I drink mulled wine when pregnant? ›

It's recommended that if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant you should not drink alcohol. This will keep any risk to your baby to a minimum.

Like ice-cold Spanish sangria, warm mulled wine is essentially red wine that is slightly sweetened, flavoured with citrus, lightly spiced and, usually, finished with a spirit or liqueur. However, mulled wine does not include cucumber or candied cherries.

'Remember not to boil the liquid at any point, otherwise you'll burn off the alcohol and make your mulled wine taste bitter. '

Mulled wine is the main drink at the markets. It's so popular that many of the markets have special decorated cups for the wine. You pay a deposit for them and get it back when you return them or just keep the cup as a souvenir of your visit.

When combined with cinnamon in particular, mulled wine becomes a powerhouse of goodness. Let us explain… Cinnamon, a key spice in mulled wine, is renowned for its antioxidant properties. It contains high levels of polyphenols, which help combat oxidative stress, reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

It soon became a festive staple as people used to make this flavourful drink during winter months only. They used to prepare this drink, especially during Christmas, while enjoying the festival with their friends and family. Soon this became a tradition and is being followed till date.

How much alcohol will be left will depend on a few variables: How much you start with, how long it is cooked and at what temperature, and what kind of vessel it was cooked in (an open shallow pan will evaporate faster than a smaller container with a lid). Of course, this also relates to cooking with wine.

If you took a sip of the supposedly festive drink, then lit a flame and blew, it would ignite. At least, that's how it feels. Then there's the overpowering hit of cloves, star anise and cinnamon. These are ingredients that benefit from restraint – restraint always flagrantly ignored by nefarious mulled-wine makers.