If you still have not decided what kind of drink to serve at the table or at a party, then mulled wine will be the best choice. There are many ways to prepare this drink, but we will look at two options: traditional mulled wine and German mulled wine, which in Germany is called Gluhwein. Let us dwell in more detail on the version of the German drink, which is also called hot sticky wine. It can be bought at any New Year's fair throughout Germany and Europe. It is the smell of mulled wine that everyone associates with Christmas.
The origins of mulled wine
This drink was first prepared in ancient Rome. The inhabitants of the city brought wine from the south of Europe to the north. In winter they heated it and added spices. It is not surprising that it was mulled wine that was entrenched in Europe for centuries. This tasty and warm drink saved the Europeans from cold winters.
Traditional and German mulled wine: the difference
There is a significant difference between the two types of this drink. Traditional mulled wine is a hot spiced wine. You can add a wide variety of spices to it. German mulled wine (Gluhwein) is essentially the same drink, only the Germans add a certain set of spices and spices there. These two drinks have a similar composition and preparation technology, but differ in taste.
How to make the best drink?
The best recipe ever - a casual and beloved classic! It all depends on the right choice of spices, which in no case should be overdone. A huge amount of spices will simply spoil the taste of the drink and make it too rich. We need to achieve light fragrant notes. Another key to making the best mulled wine is the right wine. We will talk about this a little later. But it should immediately be noted that good wine does not mean expensive wine. You can easily find inexpensive and high-quality analogues.
Ingredients
What ingredients do we need?
- Dry red wine.
- Spices (more on this below).
- Sliced oranges and apples (preferably one of your choice).
- Sweetener (sugar is the standard).
Once you've got an idea of what ingredients you'll need, let's take a closer look at the spices we'll be adding to our drink.
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Which spices to choose?
In each recipe, chefs advise using certain types of spices, but we will consider the classic set of Christmas seasonings and spices: cinnamon, ginger, cloves, anise, allspice. The final choice is already yours. The main thing to remember is that in no case should crushed spices be added to mulled wine. Why is there such a rule? Everything is very simple, crushed spices will give the drink graininess, and they are already deprived of half of the taste. To balance the taste, you can use a sliced orange. If you want to create a completely unique drink, then you can also add to your taste:
- vanilla pods;
- dill;
- juniper;
- nutmeg;
- bay leaf;
- chili.
You can add any spice you like. The main thing - do not mix a large number of bright flavors with each other.
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Which wine to use?
After choosing the required set of spices, we can start choosing our base - dry red wine. The main rule - it is important to monitor the alcohol content in the drink. Its level should not exceed 12.5%. The process of heating and adding spices changes the taste of the wine, so it is better to choose light wines like "Merlot". You can take a chance and use bolder drinks.
Traditional mulled wine
After we have collected all the ingredients for mulled wine, you can begin the cooking process itself. To do this, just take a large pot, put everything you need in it and start brewing a drink. As soon as the mulled wine boils, you need to add sugar to taste there, turn off the drink and leave it for 30 minutes so that the spices give a taste. Next, you need to strain the mulled wine. The drink is ready!
German mulled wine
There are many varieties of German mulled wine: you can add brandy or rum, use white wine instead of red wine, add apples, lemon, raisins or ginger wine to enhance the taste. Let's take a look at the classic German mulled wine recipe. All actions remain the same, except for one rule - do not let the drink boil. Before the mulled wine boils, remove it from the heat and add the sugar. Leave for 30 minutes, strain and serve.
Soft drink
The non-alcoholic version of Gluhwein in German is called Kinderpunsch. Kinderpunsch is a combination of fruit juices (eg orange, apple, grape, cherry), spices and sugar or honey. Traditionally, hibiscus tea is used to give the drink a tangy flavor and deep red color.
How to serve?
Mulled wine is a hot drink. So that your guests do not burn their hands, you need to serve it in porcelain or glass mugs with thick handles. The drink can be garnished with beautifully sliced orange or apple slices. Done!