Description
Craving a fragrant, soul-warming drink to elevate your holiday gatherings? The Best Mulled Wine combines rich red wine, sweet ruby port, and aromatic spices steeped in apple cider for a perfectly spiced winter sipper.
Ingredients
The Best Mulled Wine uses simple ingredients for a fragrant, flavorful result. Here’s what you’ll need for 8 servings:
- 3 cups apple cider: Adds sweet, appley depth to the spice infusion.
- 5 whole cloves: Provide warm, aromatic notes.
- 4 cinnamon sticks: Infuse a cozy, spicy flavor.
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries: Add earthy, peppery warmth.
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns: Bring a subtle, spicy kick.
- Two 750-milliliter bottles dry red wine: The robust base (e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot).
- 2 cups ruby port: Adds sweet, fortified richness.
- 2 clementines, thinly sliced, seeds removed: Contribute bright citrus notes.
- 2 apples, thinly sliced, seeds removed: Enhance with fresh, fruity flavor.
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Apple Cider: Infuses spices for a concentrated, sweet base.
- Spices: Cloves, cinnamon, allspice, and peppercorns create a warm, aromatic profile.
- Red Wine and Port: Provide depth, body, and a touch of sweetness.
- Fresh Fruit: Adds brightness and a beautiful garnish.
Substitutions and Variations
- Apple Cider: Swap with apple juice (reduce sugar if sweetened) or pear juice.
- Red Wine: Use Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, or a red blend; avoid overly sweet wines.
- Ruby Port: Replace with tawny port, sweet vermouth, or additional red wine with ¼ cup sugar.
- Clementines: Substitute with oranges, tangerines, or ¼ cup orange juice.
- Apples: Use pears or omit for a less fruity profile.
- Spices: Adjust quantities (e.g., reduce cloves to 3 for milder flavor) or add star anise (1-2 stars).
- Non-Alcoholic Option: Use non-alcoholic red wine and grape juice instead of port; simmer gently to avoid bitterness.
- Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free; ensure all ingredients are gluten-free.
- Flavor Variations:
- Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine: Add 1 sliced lemon and ½ teaspoon ground ginger.
- Berry Mulled Wine: Include ½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries with the fruit.
- Honey Mulled Wine: Replace port with ¼ cup honey for natural sweetness.
- Vanilla Mulled Wine: Add 1 split vanilla bean during simmering.
- Spicy Mulled Wine: Increase peppercorns to 1 ½ teaspoons or add a pinch of cayenne.
Instructions
Step 1: Gather and Prep
- Gather all ingredients: 3 cups apple cider, 5 cloves, 4 cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon allspice berries, 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, two 750-ml bottles red wine, 2 cups ruby port, 2 clementines, 2 apples.
- Thinly slice clementines and apples, removing seeds.
- Prepare a medium pot and a fine-mesh sieve.
Tip: Slice fruit thinly for even infusion and attractive garnishes; prep spices in a small bowl for easy addition.
Step 2: Infuse the Cider
- In a medium pot, combine 3 cups apple cider, 5 cloves, 4 cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon allspice berries, and 1 teaspoon black peppercorns.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook until reduced by a third (about 2 cups remain), approximately 10 minutes.
Tip: Stir occasionally to ensure even infusion; don’t over-reduce to maintain enough liquid.
Step 3: Strain and Combine
- Strain the cider through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot; discard the spices.
- Add two 750-ml bottles of red wine, 2 cups ruby port, half the sliced clementines, and half the sliced apples.
- Cover and cook over medium-high heat until warmed through, 5-7 minutes (do not boil).
Tip: Avoid boiling to preserve alcohol and prevent bitterness; use a large pot to accommodate the volume.
Step 4: Keep Warm and Serve
- Reduce heat to low to keep the mulled wine warm without simmering.
- Serve hot in heatproof mugs or glasses, about ¾-1 cup per serving, garnished with remaining fresh clementine and apple slices.
- Pair with holiday appetizers like fried ravioli or desserts like French apple tart.
Tip: Use a ladle for easy serving; avoid serving the steeped fruit from the pot as it may be soft or bitter.