DIY- Mulled Wine with a Hint of Spain

It’s a bit confusing to me that the wonders of hot wine have yet to become popular in the US.  During my travels I’ve learned that Mulled Wine, Hot Wine, Glühwein, Vin Chaud, whatever you want to call it, is one of the most enjoyable ways to beat the cold. In many countries throughout Europe you can bear the bitter outside winter temperatures with this drink in hand. It holds the power to warm you from the inside out.

So, I decided to use what little I know about mulled wine and incorporate what I’ve picked up in Madrid about Sangria, to make my own recipe. And well not to boast, but the result was pretty damn good.

So to my poor snowed in readers back at home, I hope this recipe can help ease your cabin fever, even if only temporarily.

Mulled Wine with a Hint of Spain

Prep Time: about 10 minutes; Cook Time: About 15 minutes

• 1 Bottle Red Wine (I used Spanish Rioja)
• 1 Apple
• 2 Oranges (One juiced, One thinly sliced)
• 1 Lemon
• 4 Cinnamon Sticks
• 1/3 cup of Honey
• Some Cloves (I used about 15)
• A dash of Ground Ginger
• A dash of Ground Cinnamon
• 4 cubes brown sugar (or regular brown sugar)
• 1 Miniature Sized Bottle of Brandy

Step 1 Preparing the fruit: Cut the apple into chunks, ready to toss into the pot. Cut the lemon into wedges and remove seeds. Juice one orange and strain. Cut the other orange into thin slices. Put half of the slices aside to use as garnish.  With the other half, insert sharp end of cloves into orange rinds, as to not loose them in the mixture.

Step 2 Bring ingredients to a boil: In a medium sized pot mix all ingredients. Before adding the lemon, squeeze some juice into the mixture. Bring ingredients to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for around 10 minutes. (I added a little more honey at this point)

Step 3 Enjoy: After simmering the mixture for around 10 minutes, ladle the wine (with chunks of fruit) into heat safe cups. Be careful not to use thin glass as hot liquids can make them crack. Add a cinnamon stick and orange slice to each glass as a garnish. Enjoy and drink with care— ITS HOT 🙂

Add there you have it– my perfect idea of snowed-in snacks.

*Keep in mind that one bottle of wine served three people with one glass each, so adjust accordingly to how many you will be serving.

**Also, everyone has their own preferences as to taste and spices, so altering the recipe a bit can’t hurt.  For example, I like sweeter drinks so I added a few extra squirts of honey while I was heating the wine.

If you try it out, let me know what you think!! 😉