CONTENTS:

• Mulled wine and its history
• Spices for mulled wine – an aromatic recipe
• Which spices you should use for mulled wine when preparing your mixture

The secret to making a delicious beer-based wine or mulled wine is properly selected ingredients. Ready-made spice mixes can include various spices, sugar, dried fruit, or orange peel. You can also make your own spice mix, creating a recipe that uses only the spices you like or have on hand.

Mulled wine and its history

Mulled wine is an alcoholic beverage popular in many regions of the world. Among its varieties, one can distinguish, for example, mulled wine such as Glögg, which originated in Scandinavia, or Hippokras, which has been popular in Europe for centuries. Mulled wine can also be based on other alcoholic beverages such as beer, rum, cognac, or cider. The key to the preparation process is the right spices for the mulled wine and the method—that is, gradually heating the beverage so it doesn't boil. This allows the full flavor of the beverage and its additives to be preserved and allows some of the alcohol content to evaporate.

Hot drinks of this kind have been known since ancient times. In the Middle Ages, a serving of mulled wine was often prescribed as a remedy for various ailments, and today we know there's some truth to this. Drinking mulled wine in small amounts (think of its high sugar content!) can have a positive effect on the functioning of the circulatory system and heart, contribute to lowering blood cholesterol levels, and strengthen the immune system.

Spices for mulled wine – an aromatic recipe

Mulled wine spice, whether homemade or ready-made, is a mixture of various spices, usually supplemented with fruits, sugar (or honey), and even nuts and dried fruits—which is very popular in mulled wine cuisine, for example, in the case of Swedish glögg. Mulled wine can also be enhanced with other alcohols such as sweet liqueurs, brandy, whiskey, or cognac.

It's also worth knowing that mulled wine can be made with both white and red wine. Semi-dry liqueurs are the best option, although there are also many recipes that recommend using dessert wines or port. When making mulled beer, however, it's best to focus on light lager or hopped pilsner. Dark beers quickly lose their flavor when heated.

Which spices should you use for your mulled wine mix ?

It will work:

• Cinnamon sticks (ground cinnamon makes the drink less clear),
• Carnations,
• Nutmeg,
• Ginger,
• Anise,
• Cardamom,
• Pimento,

However, when preparing a homemade blend, it's worth experimenting with flavors and adding a few peppercorns, vanilla, or whole slices of fresh oranges, lemons, or tangerines (remembering to scrub the peel thoroughly). Heat the mixture thoroughly, but do not bring the drink to a boil. Another good option is to add baked citrus fruits—pierce the oranges and lemons, sprinkle with cloves, and bake at low temperature for an hour until softened.

Delicacies such as raisins, dried apricots, almonds, cranberries, or prunes are also suitable additions to homemade mulled wine. Finally, mulled wine or beer can be sweetened with sugar (e.g., Demerara) or honey. However, if we want to preserve its properties, it's best to add it to the chilled drink.

Remember to strain the mulled wine through a sieve at the very end to easily collect all the spices and additives. If you value the juice or add fruit pulp, you can press the fruit through the mesh of the sieve without worrying about any peel fragments remaining in the wine.