A Christmas market is not complete without the signature drink, mulled wine. Or, as I know it, Glühwein (pronounced 'glue-vine'). Served hot, it is an aromatic treasure trove. When you get a steaming mug of mulled wine in the middle of winter, you inhale the scent before your first sip and then go 'hahhhh'. You feel your shoulders relax, a big smile spreads across your face and any icicles dangling from your cold, cold heart melt away to be whisked into snow flurries that dance happily in the breeze. Here's such an example of that special moment at a Christmas market in Köln, Germany, 2019. Those are my two aunts. They know the power of Glühwein, too.
It is after Christmas. Why am I thinking about mulled wine? Because of how it makes me feel. Not from a drunky-pants perspective, but an emotional one. We're staring down the barrel of another Covid-impacted holiday season. Omicron be kickin' butt and many of us are having to make adjustments or cancellations to our plans. Some of us are eyeing the outdoors with a weary glare, thinking along the lines of 'I've used up all the heat I've ever wanted to lose outside for a cold gathering.' And yet, here we are, potentially indulging another cold night to maintain our social sanity. Thus, I say, bring in the delicious hot drink that lifts your spirits and makes things merry and bright. See here for another example in Paris, where it is referred to as vin chaud (hot wine). That's my mom and my brother in law. Do they know the power of vin chaud? Yes, yes they do.
As I decided what mulled wine recipe to share, I wondered where mulled wine came from. From my resources (see bottom of post!) I found consistent references to the Greeks or Romans using mulled wine to stay warm and healthy during their adventures (read: travel or warring) in the 2nd century AD or BC. Originally, mulled wine was named 'ypocras' or 'hippocras' after the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, since mulled wine was considered to be a healing beverage. Personally, I think they were onto something. Hippocrates was all about balancing your internal fluids, and the delightful spiced wine concoction served to do just that. You may be thinking - wasn't Hippocrates alive 460 – 370 BC? Yes(!), and yet all the references to mulled wine I found seemed to have a gray area around the real start of mulled wine. Perhaps an influence of the beverage itself? Who knows. Wherever it started, it spread to other countries and was adapted to embrace local spices or traditions. In some cases, it sounds like mulled wine was a way to zhuzh up some not-so-great wine. I say zhuzh away - there's no high-falutin' here. I'm in it for the warm feelings, not to think about the terroirs. (PS - My favorite other name is for mulled wine is Glögg, which is the name in Sweden. Leave it to the Swedish to have a perfect name that both tells me what the drink is and what I want to do with it.)
Now that I have a bit more history under my belt, I looked to the region to focus on for the recipe. Since I am German and Salvadoran, but I haven't really experienced mulled wine in El Salvador, I favored a German-style recipe that takes about 1 min of prep and 15 minutes of heating. The good news is this recipe is SO SIMPLE, but it is perfect for keeping your spirits high. I keep imagining scenes out of Gladiator and whether that would have all worked out a bit better if someone had a steaming cup of mulled wine. The aroma itself brings a festive air to any gathering, and if you're having to garage it up to stay festive this can be a great option. Use whatever fun mugs you have at home to get the Christmas market feel.
THE RECIPE (
to help you visualize.)
Ingredients per 1 bottle:
1 bottle of red wine. (I assume about half a bottle per person)
Sugar to taste, perhaps 2-3 tablespoons per bottle of wine.
Spices: a mix of cloves (6), cinnamon (2 sticks), and cardamon (2 tablespoons).
Sliced oranges and/ or lemon peel.
Steps:
Combine sugar, spices, fruit and a splash of wine into a large pot. Over low heat, let the sugar and splash of wine come together.
Over an even lower heat, add in the rest of the wine and stir.
Let the mixture heat (not simmer or boil) for 15 minutes. If it comes to a boil or simmer, the alcohol will evaporate out. Totally fine if that's what you want, but just be aware.
When ready, pour into a mug. Dealer's choice on what accoutrement you include in each mug. I like a slice of orange myself!
What's your favorite mulled wine recipe and/or memory? I'd love to hear it! Muah!
Resources:
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