Warm Up the Night with Spiced Cinnamon Wine
Friends, gather around because I have a recipe that will warm your soul and make your taste buds dance with joy. Are you ready to indulge in a bold, flavorful, and aromatic drink? Then let me introduce you to the world of Hot Cinnamon Wine.
As temperatures begin to drop, this spiced wine recipe is perfect for cozy nights indoors or evenings spent around a bonfire with those closest to you. This recipe is easy to follow, and it requires only a few simple ingredients that you might already have in your pantry.
Hot Cinnamon Wine is also an excellent alternative for those who are looking for a non-alcoholic option. Just swap out the red wine for apple cider, and voila! You have a deliciously spiced mulled cider.
The addition of fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves, turmeric, and orange juice – all combined with red wine – creates an explosion of flavors that will warm your belly and fill your senses with delight. Trust me! You’ll want to keep a bottle of this on hand throughout winter.
So whether you’re planning for a quiet night in or hosting a holiday party, this spiced wine recipe is perfect for any occasion. Get ready to sit back, relax and enjoy a glass of Hot Cinnamon Wine that will undoubtedly become one of your favorite Christmas recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you ready to indulge in the perfect winter warmer? Look no further because this Hot Cinnamon Wine recipe is guaranteed to be a hit! This spiced wine, also known as mulled wine or glühwein, is a classic holiday beverage that’s sure to get you feeling cheerful and cozy.
What’s not to love about this recipe? Using only simple ingredients such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange juice, and red wine, it’s easy to create a full-bodied, aromatic drink. The add-ins like fresh ginger and turmeric give the wine a unique twist while creating a soothing taste. It’s perfect for warming up after coming in from the chilly weather outside.
Hot Cinnamon Wine is great to serve to family and friends during the cold months when everyone is looking for something festive to liven up gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just cosying up with your loved ones at home, this hot spiced wine will surely leave everyone satisfied.
This recipe is a great non-alcoholic option as well. You can switch out the red wine for apple cider or cranberry juice and still achieve wonderful results. These variations will give you options for all guests so everyone can enjoy the flavors of the season.
In summary, Hot Cinnamon Wine is a classic spiced wine that’s perfect for crisp winter nights or holiday parties. It’s an easy recipe that provides maximum pleasure with very little effort. So go ahead and make yourself, your family, and friends feel warm and fuzzy inside with this delicious beverage!
Ingredient List
Ingredients 1:
- 1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds
- 6 whole cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
Ingredients 2:
- 2 oranges, sliced into rounds
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 3 whole cloves
- 3 medium sized pieces of fresh ginger
- 2 whole turmeric sticks (or use extra ginger)
- maple syrup or brown sugar
- 1 cup orange juice
Optional Ingredients:
- apple cider instead of orange juice
- non-alcoholic version: no red wine and add two cups of apple cider or grape juice
- Glühwein or German mulled wine: replace orange slices and juice with lemon, add a few cardamom pods and use equal amounts of white and red wine
Note:
This recipe is for a single batch of mulled wine. You can double or triple the recipe if you’re serving a big crowd.
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have all the ingredients, we can start making this hot cinnamon wine. This recipe only takes less than an hour to complete and is quite simple.
Step 1: Combine the ingredients
First, take a large pot or slow cooker and add a bottle of dry red wine. Then, add in orange juice, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, sliced rounds of orange, brown sugar, and maple syrup. To give it a bit of heat, you can add some fresh ginger or some turmeric.
Step 2: Heat the mixture
Stir all the ingredients together and put on low heat to slowly heat up the mixture. Do not bring it to a boil, as that will burn off the alcohol content in the wine.
Step 3: Add spices
Add some additional spices like star anise or use different proportions of cinnamon and cloves to suit your taste.
Step 4: Add brandy and simmer
As the mixture heats up, you can add a splash of brandy to enhance the flavor of the wine. Then, let it simmer for around 30 minutes to allow all the flavors blend together nicely.
Step 5: Serve hot
Once done, ladle the hot spiced wine into mugs or insulated glasses and garnish with cinnamon sticks or orange slices for added flair. Now all that’s left to do is to enjoy this fragrant and comforting drink with friends and family.
With these easy steps, you can now make your own delicious batch of spiced wine any time you want!
Substitutions and Variations
When it comes to making spiced wine, there are many ways to switch up the recipe and make it your own. Here are some substitutions and variations you can try:
– Swap out the red wine for white wine or apple cider for a non-alcoholic version.
– Instead of using whole cloves and star anise, try mulling spices that include additional ingredients like cardamom or nutmeg.
– For a stronger ginger flavor, use fresh grated ginger instead of ground ginger powder.
– Adjust the sweetness level by adding more or less brown sugar or maple syrup to taste.
– Add in fresh fruit like sliced apples or pears for an extra pop of flavor.
No matter what substitutions or variations you choose, remember that experimentation is part of the fun when it comes to making hot spiced wine. So why not get creative and try something new?
Serving and Pairing
Once you’ve made this delicious Hot Cinnamon Wine recipe, it’s time to serve and pair it. This spiced wine is perfect for those cold winter nights when you want to relax in front of the fire with a good book or some good company. Serve it hot, with cinnamon sticks or orange slices as garnish. The warm aroma of cinnamon will fill your home, adding a cozy touch to your evening.
As for pairing, the flavors and spices of the Hot Cinnamon Wine blend perfectly with savory dishes. It goes especially well with red meat, such as roasted lamb or beef stews. If you prefer a vegetarian option, try pairing it with a mushroom risotto or roasted root vegetables.
For dessert, serve it alongside dark chocolate truffles or a fruit tart filled with fresh berries. The notes of this spiced wine elevate fruity desserts and balance the richness of chocolate treats.
In summary, Hot Cinnamon Wine is a versatile drink that pairs well with a wide range of dishes. It’s perfect for entertaining guests or simply enjoying a cozy night in.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
This hot cinnamon wine recipe is perfect for entertaining guests during the holiday season. But you don’t have to wait until your guests arrive to prepare this delicious drink. You can make it ahead of time!
To make this hot spiced wine, combine all ingredients in a slow cooker or pot and let it simmer for about 30 minutes before serving. If you’re making it ahead of time, leave the orange slices out until just before reheating.
When it comes to storing this mulled wine make sure it’s cooled properly then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Once you’re ready to serve, pour it into a pot and reheat over low heat to avoid scorching. It’s that easy!
Don’t worry if you end up with leftovers because this wine recipe stores well in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can enjoy it cold or reheat it gently on the stove.
This spiced wine recipe is versatile and can be made non-alcoholic by substituting the red wine with apple cider, making it a perfect choice for designated drivers or anyone who wants to enjoy a non-alcoholic drink.
Finally, if you want an authentic German mulled wine experience (also known as Glühwein), add one cup of maple syrup or brown sugar while preparing the drink. It gives extra sweetness that balances out the spice blend perfectly!
Tips for Perfect Results
To ensure the hot cinnamon wine recipe is executed perfectly, there are detailed tips I would like to share. Firstly, I recommend using a dry red wine for this recipe. The dryness allows the added flavors of the spices and fruit to complement it, rather than work against it.
Secondly, take care not to boil the wine for too long as it may result in a slightly bitter taste. Boiling also has the potential to evaporate the alcohol content of the wine which causes a lack of potency to your drink. Therefore, keeping the heat low and slow is vital for optimal results.
When choosing spices like cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and star anise – go for fresh options in place of powdered. Fresh spices render a better aroma and flavor compared to powdered ones which lose their power over time.
Furthermore, if you’re an avid mulled wine maker, you may have noticed some recipes ask for the addition of maple syrup. Instead of this sweetener, I suggest using brown sugar which dissolves more easily into your wine mixture and contributes a subtle caramel flavor that goes well with the spiced mixture.
Lastly, remember that serving size for each person should be around 180ml – 240ml per serving as this amount ensures every sip enjoys a balanced blend of flavors without overpowering one over another.
FAQ
As with any recipe, it’s not uncommon to have questions or concerns while making it. Here are some frequently asked questions that I hear about this hot cinnamon wine recipe.
What’s the difference between hot wine and mulled wine?
The delightful warm beverage we know as mulled wine seems to have many monikers. You might hear it referred to as spiced wine, hot wine, glögg, glühwein, or vin chaud depending on where you are. It appears that despite the slight spice and alcohol variations of the beverage, all of these names represent the same beloved drink.
What is the best wine to make mulled wine?
When thinking about mulled wine, it’s important to consider the type of wine that would work best with the sweet and spicy flavors of the hot drink. It’s recommended to choose a medium-bodied wine that has fruity notes and hasn’t been aged in oak. This way, the wine won’t taste too tannic in contrast to the bold sweetness of the mulled spices. Some great options to consider are a Chilean Merlot, a Zinfandel from California, or a Grenache from Spain. These wines have the right characteristics to enhance the deliciousness of your mulled wine.
How long does homemade mulled wine keep?
If you have any mulled wine left over, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator and consume it within 24 hours. Adding fruit to the mixture can cause fermentation, so it’s important not to keep it for longer than a day.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this hot cinnamon wine recipe is an absolute must-try for those who love a good mulled wine during the chilly winter months. The combination of red wine, warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, and fresh orange juice make for a flavorful and aromatic creation that is sure to impress your guests at any holiday gathering.
What’s more, this recipe is incredibly versatile with numerous substitutions and variations available to suit your taste preferences. Plus, it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours, making it an easy choice for any host or hostess.
So go ahead and grab a bottle of dry red wine, spices, oranges, and follow the instructions provided in this recipe to create a delicious batch of hot spiced wine that will warm you up from head to toe. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
Hot Cinnamon Wine Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups red wine
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- fresh ginger (1 inch piece, sliced)
- fresh turmeric, root (1 inch piece, sliced â Optional)
Instructions
- In saucepan, combine wine, cinnamon, ginger and turmeric. Cover and heat gently.
- Remove from heat and allow to stand, covered, for 20 minutes.
- Strain and pour into 4 heated mugs.