Description
Mulled wine by Ina Garten warms cold winter nights with rich, spiced flavors from red wine, cinnamon, and citrus. Guests will savor this comforting classic cocktail that brings Mediterranean charm to holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (750-ml) bottle of red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon), standard/US
- 4 cups apple cider, standard/US
- ¼ cup honey, standard/US
- 1 orange, zested and juiced, standard/US
- 4 oranges, peeled (for garnish), standard/US
- 2 cinnamon sticks, standard/US
- 4 whole cloves, standard/US
- 3 star anise, standard/US
Instructions
- Preparation: Merge apple cider, red wine, honey, cinnamon sticks, orange zest, orange juice, cloves, and star anise into a spacious saucepan, crafting a luscious aromatic liquid foundation.
- Heating Process: Elevate the mixture to a medium-high temperature until it reaches a soft bubbling point, then swiftly reduce heat to low, allowing the spices to release their complex flavors through a patient 10-minute steeping ritual.
- Refinement: Carefully filter the mulled wine through a fine-mesh strainer, extracting whole spices to create a velvety smooth liquid that captures the essence of winter warmth.
- Presentation: Pour the heated elixir into pre-warmed ceramic vessels, adorning each serving with a graceful curl of fresh orange peel to amplify the citrus undertones and create a visually enticing experience.
- Serving Recommendation: Distribute the mulled wine immediately while temperature peaks, inviting guests to immerse themselves in this harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and vibrant flavor profiles.
Notes
- Spice Steeping Strategy: Allow exactly 10-12 minutes of low-heat steeping to extract maximum flavor without bitter undertones, preventing over-extraction of spices.
- Wine Selection Wisdom: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon that balances well with the spices and won’t overpower the cider’s sweetness.
- Temperature Control Tip: Monitor heat carefully to prevent boiling, which can burn off alcohol and diminish the rich, complex flavor profile of the mulled wine.
- Garnish Game Changer: Fresh orange peel twist not only adds visual appeal but releases essential oils that enhance the drink’s aromatic complexity and elevate the overall sensory experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Drinks, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg