Mulled wine done right: the guide to making a perfect mulled wine

Mulled wine is a seasonal classic that is warming, sweet and slightly alcoholic. It reminds us of winter, Christmas markets and good company.

Here are our recipes for delicious red and white mulled wines, perfect for a family dinner, an evening with friends or even just to spoil yourself! Did you know you could make mulled white wine as well? It’s as delicious as the red one but we like it with a zingier spice combination, with more ginger and star anise, alongside the usual cinnamon and nutmeg!

RED WINE

Ingredients:

• A bottle (75cl) of red wine, we recommend Budureasca Premium Feteasca Neagra
• 33cl of orange juice (no added sugar)
• Orange/satsuma peels
• 5 tablespoons of white sugar
• 2 oranges, sliced
• Spices: cinnamon powder, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, star anise, chilli, bay leaves, ginger, a cinnamon stick

Method:

1. In a large pot, heat up the wine and orange juice together. When the mixture is near boiling, turn the heat down.
2. Chop the orange peels and add them to the the pot. Throw in the fresh sliced orange at the same time.
3. You can use a tea infuser to put in the smaller spices or can choose to sieve them out before serving. Put your spices in the pot and let them slowly to release their flavour in the wine/juice mix. Add the sugar. Leave to cook for 10-15 minutes
4. Taste and adjust spices and sugar to preference.
5. Serve hot in a mug, with a cinnamon stick and orange slice as decoration.

WHITE WINE

Ingredients:

• A bottle (75cl) of dry white wine, we recommend Painted Wolf The Den Chenin Blanc
• 33cl of orange juice (no added sugar)
• 50 cl of apple juice
• 5 tablespoons of white sugar
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 orange, sliced
• Spices: cinnamon powder, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, star anise, orange and lemon peel, chilli, bay leaves, ginger, a cinnamon stick

Method:

1. In a large pot, heat up the wine, orange and apple juice together. When the mixture is near boiling, turn the heat down.
2. Chop the orange and lemon peel and throw them in the pot. Add the fresh sliced lemon and orange at the same time.
3. Add your spices to the pot and let them slowly release their flavour in the wine/juice mix. Add the sugar. Leave to cook for 10-15 minutes
4. Taste and adjust spices and sugar to preference.
5. Serve hot in a mug with a slice of lemon and some star anise as decoration.