Yule Mulled Wine Recipes

CLASSIC MULLED WINE

Steps:

• To prepare the oranges, if using 2 small, slice one orange into rounds and slice the other in half. If using 1 large orange, slice it in half through the round middle, then slice one of the halves into rounds. Place the rounds into a medium heavy-bottomed pot or small Dutch oven. Squeeze the juice from the remaining oranges into the pot.
• Pour the wine into the pot, followed by the brandy. Add 1 tablespoon of the sweetener for now. Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise and cloves.
• Warm the mixture over medium heat until steaming (about 5 minutes), and keep an eye on it. When you start seeing the tiniest of bubbles at the surface, reduce the heat to the lowest of low.
• Carefully taste, and add another tablespoon of sweetener if it's not sweet enough for your liking. If it's not spicy enough to suit your preferences, continue cooking over very low heat for 5 to 10 more minutes.
• Serve in mugs with your desired garnishes! If you're adding cranberries as I did, you can add them to the pot to make it look extra festive.
• If you expect to polish off the mulled wine within 20 minutes or so, you can keep it on the stove over extra-low heat (it will become more spicy with time). Otherwise, remove it from the heat, cover, and rewarm over low heat if necessary. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of days, covered (pour it through a strainer if you don't want it to become any more spicy than it already is).

HOT SPICED CHRISTMAS WINE

Steps:

• Use a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler to remove the zest from the oranges in strips, being careful to remove only the orange part, leaving the pith behind. Then, juice the oranges into a large, heavy-bottomed pot.
• Pour the red wine and white wine into the pot with the orange juice. Place the strips of orange zest, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and brown sugar into the pot with the wine mixture; stir to dissolve the sugar.
• Cover and heat over medium-high until heated through, but not boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and heat for an hour or longer to bring all of the flavors together. Adjust the sweetness by adding more brown sugar, as necessary. Strain and serve hot with a splash of brandy, if desired.

MULLED WINE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the first 6 ingredients. Place remaining spices on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose spices; tie securely with string. Place in pan., Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer gently, covered, 20 minutes. Transfer to a covered container; cool slightly. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Strain wine mixture into a large saucepan, discarding fruit and spice bag; reheat. Serve warm. Garnish as desired.

YULE MULLED WINE

Steps:

• Night before: Place sultanas in a separate dish with good lid & cover with the brandy. Ensure there is room for the fruit to swell & expand. Cover and set aside in cool place.
• 2 to 3 hours before serving: Place the soaked sultanas & all remaining juice, the water, brown sugar, & boysenberries including juice into the slow cooker.
• Switch on the slow cooker to its lowest heat setting.
• Add 1 of the bottles of wine.
• Add the zest finely chopped or shredded from one of the oranges. Peel or chop off the remaining pith from the orange, chop the fruit flesh into smaller pieces & add to the slow cooker.
• With the second orange cut off & discard the top & tail of the pith (as this is hard) then slice into quarters length wise. Thinly slice these quarters and add to the slow cooker.
• Add the remaining wine and spices.
• Stir gently and place the the lid on the cooker.
• Monitor the temperate up to serving time - if necessary switch the heating OFF for short periods of time to ensure the wine holds to a warm but never hot (to touch) temperature.
• Serve each glass with fruit in the bottom of the glass & a teaspoon to enjoy the delicious fruity end of this Yule Tide drink.
• HINT: If you have left overs let then cool & store in an air tight container in the fridge over night - then check out my Mulled Wine Drop Scones recipe for morning snacks the next day - YUM!