It is part of winter and of Christmas time: the mulled wine warms body and soul
Mulled wine is a special medicine for cold evenings, especially at the Christmas markets. This is where it is particularly popular, as the sweet flavour (as well as the alcohol) convey a cosy feeling and provide a nice evening with friends.
This hot beverage is composed of a dry red wine, cinnamon, cloves, sugar, cardamom and some slices of a natural lemon. These ingredients are heated and brought to the boil. From 83°C up the alcohol vaporizes and the ingredients change flavour. The waste product of sugar is considered to be cancer-causing. After about 5 minutes take it from the stove and simmer it for about one hour. Before serving, re-heat the wine and strain it.
There are different recipes for the preparation of mulled wine, and even with white wine you can make a delicious one. A good mulled wine contains at least 7% of alcohol and you should use high quality wines for the production.
The idea of mulled wine dates back to antiquity. The forerunner of mulled wine was called Conditum Paradoxum, while the Hypocras was its cold counterpart, an aromatic wine for summertime. Also spices alone have a warming effect. Both wines were a mixture of wine, honey, pepper, herbs and other spices.
The so called Children's mulled wine is an alternative to the conventional one. This is an apple juice that is heated and refined with cinnamon, lemon and cloves.
