How to choose seasoning for mulled wine - the best options for aromatic mixtures

Spices for mulled wine are an essential component of a warming, spicy drink that is associated with winter holidays, joyful mood, and snowy weather. The product is in great demand in countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland. Recently it has become more and more popular in Russia.

Mulled wine is a German word that translates to “hot wine.” It is this type of alcohol that is the basis of the aromatic treat. Spices are added to the main ingredient, thanks to which it can truly “play” and give true gourmet pleasure.

The most popular spices and seasonings for mulled wine

Additional components give mulled wine a perfect taste and delicious aroma. Next, you can find out what spices are recommended to include in this delicious drink.

Carnation

Belongs to the classic components of mulled wine.Clove inflorescences have an original, well-recognized taste. They are added to hot wine much more often than other options.

When creating the drink, they use dry buds that have not yet had time to open. In addition to its bright aroma and pleasant taste, cloves are valued for other qualities that are relevant in the cold season:

• antimicrobial;
• antiseptic;
• anti-cold.

Note! Do not heat the cloves too much - this will make them less fragrant. To maintain a pleasant smell, it is recommended to add the plant to the wine liquid last.

Cinnamon

It is one of the spices that go harmoniously with hot wine.

Cinnamon imparts a sweetish taste and seductive aroma that can appeal to many. In cold weather it creates an amazing feeling of comfort.

The spice is available in different variations. When preparing mulled wine, it is better to use this spice in the form of sticks, since ground cinnamon does not have all the original properties.

Ginger

When added to a wine drink, it makes it more expressive and piquant.

The root is used ground or in pieces. In each case, we manage to get an excellent result.

Like cloves, ginger has medicinal and prophylactic properties. It is very relevant in winter, as it saves you from the negative effects of hypothermia and protects against colds.

Peppercorns

In the process of preparing mulled wine, various types of product are used:

• black;
• red;
• Jamaican.

Black pepper is often present in the drink made from red wine. Thanks to him, it acquires antiseptic and anti-cold properties.

Red pepper is usually added to white varieties of wine. This component makes the taste even more perfect and piquant.

The Jamaican look is used by real professionals. It should be taken into account that the spice has a pronounced aroma that can overshadow other components. For this reason, it must be added to hot wine in carefully adjusted proportions.

Nutmeg

An additive preferred by many mulled wine connoisseurs.

Muscat adds a pleasant tartness and moderate heat. This ingredient is also valued for its ability to fight depression and strengthen the immune system.

Worth knowing! It is better to include nutmeg in mulled wine at the initial stage of creation. This is due to the fact that the spice exhibits its characteristics only with intense heating. If you neglect this rule, the expected effect will be much weaker.

Cardamom

The presence of spice provides hot wine with a pleasant aroma, slightly spicy taste and lemony freshness.

Adding cardamom to a traditional winter drink brings significant benefits to the body. The seasoning stimulates the immune system, relieves dry cough, and restores strength.

Anise

It is used to add a sweetish, slightly tart flavor to a wine product and to enrich it with a spicy aroma. Anise is very popular in the cold season, when mulled wine is drunk most often. It is famous for its ability to relieve pain, reduce elevated body temperature, and stimulate appetite.

How to prepare ready-made spice mixtures for mulled wine yourself

There are many variations of creating aromatic mixtures that complement hot wine. The choice of a specific seasoning composition should be guided by personal preferences.

With cinnamon and allspice

This mixture includes:

• 6 cinnamon sticks;
• 2 tbsp. l. allspice peas;
• 2 tbsp. l. dried cloves;
• 1 tbsp. l. green cardamom;
• star anise (5-6 pcs.);
• a few slices of dried orange.

All of the listed ingredients must be crushed and mixed thoroughly. Store aromatic substances in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid.

With ginger and nutmeg

Product components:

• 1 tsp. chopped ginger root;
• ½ tsp. ground nutmeg;
• 6-7 dried clove inflorescences;
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon;
• 3 tsp. granulated sugar.

After grinding and mixing, the ingredients are placed in a clean container and securely sealed. It is best for the storage vessel to be made of glass.

Note! You can also include pleasantly smelling berries in this composition. Dry fruits of cranberries, grapes, rose hips, and barberries will harmoniously fit into the mixture for mulled wine.

With anise, citrus and apples

The combined seasoning contains:

• 4 anise;
• 6 slices of dried lemon;
• 6 slices of dried orange;
• 1 tsp. cinnamon powder;
• several dry apples;
• a small amount of ginger root.

To make a uniform mixture, all products are crushed. Distribute and store the aromatic composition in the same way as described above.

With cardamom and raisins

Ingredients:

• 1 pinch each of cardamom and nutmeg;
• 5 inflorescences of dry cloves;
• 1 pinch each of rosemary and cinnamon;
• 1 tsp. dried mint;
• 3 dozen raisins;
• 70 g sugar.

The option is interesting due to the presence in its composition of several types of spicy plants, which make the hot drink “sound” in a completely new way.

With cloves and vanilla

You will need to combine into one set:

• 1 pinch of ground cloves;
• 1 tsp. cinnamon powder;
• 1 g vanillin;
• 1 tsp. ground ginger;
• 150 g sugar.

It is recommended to add this mixture to a lime drink. It is prepared using red wine, orange, apple and lime.

Recipes for mulled wine with spices

Each country uses its own methods of preparing mulled wine. There are classic options for creating a drink and original approaches. When working with hot wine, you must follow a number of recommendations - this will help you get excellent results and fully enjoy the brightest taste.

Rules for preparing the drink

You need to start making mulled wine in a good mood. As a rule, the preparation of this wonderful drink is carried out by creative individuals who are not afraid to imagine and experiment.

Mulled wine can be made with or without water. If the first method is chosen, the wine is heated until light steam appears on its surface. The planned components are also added to the drink.

If water is used, then it is taken in an amount of 1/3 of the volume of the wine substance. The liquid is boiled, combined with spices and sugar, and boiled for several minutes. The resulting mixture is poured into wine, which is heated without boiling.

Before consuming the prepared mulled wine, leave it covered for at least 15 minutes. Next, filter and pour into glass glasses or mugs..

Classic recipe

Traditional mulled wine is made with red wine. It is not necessary to use expensive types of alcohol for preparation. Thanks to the inclusion of additional components, even budget options acquire a bright and rich taste.

Components of classic mulled wine:

• 750 ml dry wine;
• 2 dry cloves;
• 5 cardamom seeds;
• 1 apple and 1 orange;
• cinnamon stick;
• a glass of sugar;
• a little honey.

Red wine is poured into an enamel bowl and slightly heated. Add spices, fruits in circles, and sugar. Heat the mixture to 70 degrees.

Attention! In the absence of a thermometer, you can accurately determine the moment at which it is necessary to remove the drink from the stove. This is evidenced by the absence of foam on the surface and the steam emanating from the product.

After removing the mulled wine from the heat, cover it with a lid and leave to steep for 15 minutes. Afterwards, the drink is filtered, honey is added and poured into glasses.

With homemade wine

A fragrant treat can be made not only from store-bought wine. Often it is based on homemade products that boast a more natural composition and natural aroma.

Drink ingredients:

• 1 liter of homemade wine;
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks;
• 3 cardamom seeds;
• 2 star anise;
• 3 clove inflorescences;
• some fresh ginger root;
• 1 lemon;
• sugar.

After mixing the listed ingredients, they are heated over medium-intensity heat. The wine mixture should sit for 15 minutes, after which it is filtered and consumed immediately.

With honey and spices

This recipe also includes red wine. You can buy a finished product or use your own substance.

Ingredients of mulled wine:

• 0.5 liters of red wine;
• 5 tablespoons of honey;
• 7 dry clove buds;
• 4 allspice peas;
• 3 star anise;
• cinnamon (to taste).

The spices are added to the wine, after which the whole mass is heated. After removing the drink from the stove, immediately add honey. Mulled wine is infused for no longer than 10-15 minutes.

White mulled wine

This drink differs from previous versions by using light wine.It also contains components that add considerable sweetness.

Ingredients:

• dry white wine – 2 bottles;
• cider – 500 ml;
• cinnamon – 2 sticks;
• vanilla – 1 pod;
• powdered sugar – 5 tablespoons;
• zest of two lemons.

The zest is separated from the citrus fruits, the vanilla pod is ground. All available components are combined in a clean container and placed over medium heat. Heat the drink until the first bubbles appear, then remove and leave for a short time. Next, you can enjoy white mulled wine.

With apples and cinnamon

An original recipe for lovers of wine combined with fruit. Beverage products:

• white wine – 750 ml;
• apple juice – 250 ml;
• granulated sugar – 100 g;
• cinnamon sticks – 3-4 pcs.;
• 3 clove inflorescences;
• apple and lemon - 1 pc.

Combine wine, apple juice, thinly sliced ​​apple, spices and sugar. The drink is brewed for 20 minutes. During this period of time, the fruit should soften well. After removing the treat from the stove, it is infused, then poured into glasses. Before serving, garnish with cinnamon sticks and lemon wedges.

In addition to the principle of preparation, it is also useful to know how to drink mulled wine. It is mainly consumed hot, taking small sips and enjoying the aromatic steam emanating from the drink.