Warm up your evening with Hot Spiced Wine
Are you looking for the perfect drink to warm you up as the weather starts to cool down? Look no further than this hot spiced wine recipe. This mulled wine will provide comfort and coziness on a chilly evening, with its aromatic spices and rich blend of flavors.
Picture the scene: a roaring fire, a comfortable blanket, and a mug of steaming hot spiced wine in your hand. There is nothing quite like it. The combination of red wine, spices, and citrus is simply heavenly. And if you are looking for an excuse to enjoy this delicious recipe, this is an excellent Christmas wine to serve during the holiday season.
Not only does this recipe taste amazing, it also boasts numerous health benefits. Red wine is packed with antioxidants, which can reduce inflammation and aid brain function. The spices used in this recipe have anti-inflammatory properties and can help lower blood sugar levels.
So let’s get started! With just a few ingredients and some easy steps, you can create a cozy and delicious drink that will warm up your heart and soul.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re looking to create some warmth during the holiday season or impress your guests with a delicious drink, look no further than this hot spiced wine recipe. Perfect for Christmas, New Year’s Eve or any winter gathering, this spiced hot wine recipe will have you feeling cozy in no time.
One of the reasons why you’ll love this recipe is its versatility. You can easily halve or double the ingredients to suit your needs, making it perfect for all size gatherings. The recipe also calls for simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry.
The combination of red wine, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise work together to create a warm and inviting aroma that will fill your home with the sweet smell of Christmas. This spiced wine recipe also includes fresh citrus juices and slices that add just the right amount of acidity to cut through the richness of the red wine.
This recipe can be prepared on the stovetop or slow cooker allowing you some flexibility when it comes to preparation time. Once simmered, hot spiced wine will keep your spirits high and your guests happy as they sip their glasses by the fire.
This hot spiced wine recipe can be adjusted to your preference by adding your preferred sweetener or leaving out an ingredient. Whether you choose to stick with a classic mulled spice recipe or want to put a spin on it with maple syrup, the options are endless.
In conclusion, this hot spiced wine recipe is not only easy to make but also perfect for any occasion. By following these simple instructions and allowing the ingredients to infuse together, you’ll have one of the best mulled wines around. After all, who wouldn’t love a glass of warm spiced Christmas wine in their hands during the winter months? So go ahead, give this hot spiced Christmas wine a try and be prepared for everyone at your party asking for seconds!
Ingredient List
For this hot spiced wine recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
– 1 bottle (750 ml) full-bodied red wine
– 2 cups apple cider
– 1 cup orange juice
– 1 orange, sliced into rounds
– 1/4 cup brown sugar
– 3 cinnamon sticks
– 6 whole cloves
– 3 whole allspice
– Zest and juice of 2 oranges
– Optional: 1/4 cup brandy or maple syrup
Make sure to use good quality red wine since it’s the base of this recipe. The combination of apple cider and orange juice add a fruity and citrusy flavor that balances the richness of the wine. Don’t forget to have fresh oranges on hand for slicing and zesting. The blend of brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and allspice in this recipe give a lovely spiced aroma that will leave you wanting more. Adding brandy or maple syrup to the mix is optional but will surely elevate the flavor in every sip.
The Recipe How-To
Here’s the Hot Spiced Wine Recipe that you can make at home!
Ingredients:
- 1 750 ml bottle red wine
- 1 cup apple cider
- ¼ cup brandy
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 orange (sliced into rounds)
- Zest and juice of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lime
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 3 whole allspice
- 1 star anise
Directions:
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In a large saucepan, combine the red wine, apple cider, and brandy.
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Add the brown sugar and stir until it dissolves completely.
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Add in the sliced oranges, the zest and juice of one orange, one lemon, and one lime, as well as the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and star anise.
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Stir everything together.
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Set the pan over medium heat and bring to a boil.
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Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes or until the wine has thoroughly infused with all the spices.
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After simmering for about half an hour, remove from heat.
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Use a fine-mesh strainer to remove all the spices as well as any fruit pulp that might have formed during the boiling process.
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If needed, return the wine to the pan to reheat.
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Finally, pour your hot spiced wine into mugs or glasses or Irish coffee cups to serve.
Enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
When it comes to making hot spiced wine, there are plenty of variations and substitutions you can try to make the recipe your own. Here are some ideas to get you started:
– Wine: You can use any full-bodied red wine for this recipe. Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon work great, but feel free to experiment with other varietals to find your preferred flavor profile.
– Fruit: While this recipe calls for oranges, lemons, and limes, you could also use other fruits like apples or pears. Just be sure to slice them thinly so that they cook evenly.
– Spices: You can adjust the spice level in this recipe by adding more or fewer allspice berries, cloves, or cinnamon sticks. You could also try adding a star anise for an extra kick of flavor.
– Sweetener: Brown sugar is used in this recipe, but you can also use honey or maple syrup as a sweetener. If you prefer a less sweet drink, try reducing the amount of sweetener called for in the recipe.
– Brandy: Most recipes call for brandy to be added to the wine mixture, but you could also use rum or whiskey instead. If you’re not a fan of alcohol, simply leave it out.
– Citrus mulled cider: If you want to make this recipe without using wine, substitute apple cider for the red wine and follow the same instructions. This will create a warm and cozy drink perfect for any winter night.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your substitutions and variations – that’s part of what makes hot spiced wine such a fun drink to make!
Serving and Pairing
Hot spiced wine, also known as mulled wine, is a perfect drink for a cold night or festive holiday parties. Its warm and spicy flavor will instantly create a cozy environment that you’ll adore.
This classic mulled spiced wine pairs perfectly with traditional winter dishes such as roasted turkey or ham. Or, it’s an excellent drink to serve during Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner. The fruity and cinnamon flavors of the mulled spiced wine beautifully complement the richness of meat dishes.
Alternatively, you can also consume this drink with desserts like pumpkin pie, caramel apple tart, or chocolate cake to add a seasonal twist to your favorite desserts.
If you want to go for savory snacks, opt for some cheese platters and pair the drink with more mature and hearty cheeses like cheddar and gouda. The fruity notes of the drink cut through the fattiness of these cheeses, leaving you with an enjoyable palate sensation.
Another option for pairing is to serve hot spiced wine alongside charcuterie boards filled with cured meats like salami, chorizo, prosciutto, or smoked salmon. These meats can play off the cocktail’s smoky spiciness and earthy undertones in a rather delectable fashion.
Hot spiced wine is not overly sweet, so it will not spoil savory foods. This recipe has everything that one can expect from traditional Christmas wine – warm spices of cinnamon and clove paired well with the full-bodied red wine.
Regardless of how you serve it or how it is paired, this deliciously warming hot-spiced Christmas wine recipe always takes center stage at any gathering during the holiday season!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the best things about hot spiced wine is that it can be made ahead of time and stored easily. This makes it a great choice for holiday parties and gatherings where you may not have time to make a new batch from scratch on the day of the event.
To make hot spiced wine ahead of time, simply follow the recipe instructions as usual, allowing the wine mixture to cool down completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors will develop even further as the wine sits, so making it a day or two before serving can actually enhance the taste.
When it comes time to reheat the wine, simply warm it up on the stove using low heat, stirring occasionally. Be mindful not to bring it to a boil, as this can cause the alcohol to evaporate and affect the flavor.
If you find yourself with leftover spiced wine, no worries – it can be stored in the fridge for a few days without losing its flavor. You may even find that you prefer drinking it cold over ice like sangria! To serve your leftovers warm, simply microwave a cup at a time or reheat on the stove.
In summary, hot spiced wine is very versatile when it comes to storing and reheating. With some careful attention to detail and patience waiting for its flavors to develop, hot spiced wine can be served up fresh and delicious whenever needed.
Tips for Perfect Results
Making hot spiced wine can be quite easy, even for first-time cooks. But if you want to impress your family and friends with the perfect cup of hot spiced wine, there are some tips and tricks that will make all the difference.
-Use a full-bodied red wine such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. Avoid using cheap wine, as it won’t taste as good when it’s heated up and mixed with spices.
-When adding the sugar, it’s important to add it gradually and taste along the way. Add too much sugar too quickly, and your hot spiced wine may end up too sweet.
-Use fresh citrus fruits for a brighter flavor. If you’re using orange peel or lemon zest in your recipe, make sure you only use the colored part of the fruit – the white part is bitter and can ruin your drink.
-If you want an extra kick, try adding a shot of brandy. It adds a boozy depth to the drink and really takes things up a notch.
-Have fun experimenting with different spices like star anise or cardamom to create your own unique twist on classic mulled wine.
-If you want to make hot spiced wine in advance, leave out the citrus juice until you’re ready to serve. Otherwise, it can become bitter after sitting in the fridge for too long.
-Finally, don’t forget about presentation. Serve your hot spiced wine in cute mugs or teacups with a cinnamon stick or slice of orange for garnish.
With these simple tips, you’ll be able to create the best mulled wine any time of year. Whether you’re snuggling up by the fire on a cold winter night or serving up drinks at your next party, everyone will be impressed by your deep knowledge of spicing up delicious red wines into some comforting drinks.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, there’s nothing like a good spiced wine recipe to keep us warm and cheerful during the cold winter months. The aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and oranges will fill your home and create a cozy atmosphere that everyone will enjoy. One of the best things about this recipe is that you can easily adjust the ingredients to your own taste preferences.
If you are looking for a classic red wine recipe, this hot spiced wine recipe will be perfect for you. You can serve it at any holiday party or simply enjoy it on a chilly night with your loved ones. Trust me when I say – nothing beats the feeling of holding a mug of warm spiced wine in your hands and savoring the flavors.
So why not give this recipe a try? It’s easy to make, deliciously flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Be sure to pair it with some tasty snacks or desserts to further enhance your experience. And don’t forget to experiment with different types of wine or spices for more variety.
Cheers to a warm winter season!
Hot Spiced Wine Recipe
Ingredients
- cheesecloth
- 2 (3 inch) cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice
- 6 cups fruity red wine (such as Beaujolais or Pinot Noir)
- 6 cups apple cider
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 lime, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Place first 3 ingredients on an 8" square of cheesecloth; tie with string. Place spice bag in a Dutch oven. Add red wine and remaining 5 ingredients; bring to a simmer over low heat (do not boil). Keep at a simmer while serving. Ladle into mugs.
- Note: For a nonalcoholic version, omit wine and substitute more apple cider.