Add different aromatics: Feel free to add in whatever aromatics sound fun! Fresh ginger slices, cardamom pods, nutmeg, allspice or lemon zest are some other great aromatics to try. Party Food. Some of my favorites for the holidays are Brie Bites, Whipped Feta Crostini, and Fig Goat Cheese Appetizer Bites. To make the mulled wine pouch, put a combination of all the ingredients in the centre of a piece of cheesecloth or muslin, then tie up neatly to seal, so it looks a bit like an old money bag; note that all the ingredients are optional, so adjust the quantities to suit your own taste. This makes a sweet little gift and is a great way to use up store-cupboard ingredients. If you want to be really generous, gift the other mulled wine ingredients, too, be that the wine, honey or maple syrup, orange juice or even a bottle of spirits. Note that all the ingredients for the pouch are optional – I’ve included a long list in the hope that you’ll have at least some of them to hand. Like chai tea, mulled wine recipes vary greatly, and are delicious even when made with just a few spices.

Wine | Don't go all out on an expensive bottle of wine for this Mulled Wine Recipe as the flavors are going to be somewhat transformed thanks to the other ingredients. Grab yourself a decent-priced bottle of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, or merlot. Also known as glühwein, vino caliente, glögg, vin brulé, bisschopswijn, vin chaud, candola, vinho quente…or literally a hundred other names, depending on where in the world life may find you. Needless to say, it seems like just about everyone in the world loves some hot wine. And clearly, I can vouch that you all do too!

You can make your own tags, or save time by buying these handy Christmas kraft tags instead. What can I do with this homemade mulling spice? But my favorite uses for these DIY mulling spices are homemade mulled apple cider and mulled wine. How to make homemade mulled apple cider Step 2: Cut a section of baker’s twine long enough to float the spices in a large pot, and still wrap around the handle to prevent the tag from falling in. Tie a large knot at one end, and wrap some excess around two fingers to bundle it in a neat coil – this will be stored inside the tag until the spices are being used. Set the coiled twine aside briefly. Fresh oranges: One of which we will slice and mull in the wine, one of which you can slice and use as a garnish if you’d like. (Edit: To minimize bitterness, I recommend peeling the orange before simmering it in the wine.) Sweetener: Feel free to add your favorite sweetener to taste. Sugar is classic, but I prefer to naturally sweeten mine with either maple syrup or honey.

Step 5: Fold up the corners of the cloth to make a little bundle, and tie the center with the twine tail left from the tag to keep it closed. The best wines for making mulled wine are those that are full-bodied, dry, fruity, and not overly sweet. Zinfandel, Granche, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon all work well.

Why Create Your Own Sachets?

Mulling spices: These vary in mulled wine from country to country, but whole cloves and star anise are my favorites, plus perhaps a few cardamom pods. Don’t Buy the Cheapest (or Most Expensive) Wine. You can be quite economical when making this mulled wine recipe. Because of the added flavors, this is a good place to use a budget-friendly bottle. Don’t choose the very bottom shelf, but you can save the super good stuff to enjoy on its own.

Still need a gift for some co-workers or family members? Then our DIY tutorial from Ribbons & Bluebirds today has got you covered! Jenn is going to teach you how to make super adorable DIY mulling spice sachets – a perfect DIY holiday gift ideas! DIY Tutorial: How to Make Mulling Spice Sachets ~ a Perfect DIY Holiday Gift! Technically, you could use a red or white wine to make this Mulled Wine Recipe; however, white wine is not traditional. MULLED WINE SPICES Add garnishes: For a festive touch, feel free to sprinkle some fresh cranberries in the pot a few minutes before serving.

Disclaimer

The best brandy for mulled wine is a matter of personal preference, but generally any affordable, medium-bodied, and fruity brandy will complement the flavors in mulled wine. Consider using a brandy like St-Rémy VSOP, Courvoisier, or E&J XO, which are both cost-effective and flavorful options. What are the key ingredients for mulled wine? Experimentation with various types of red wines, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, or Grenache, can lead to interesting taste combinations. For a milder variation, consider using a white wine or Malbec instead.