Coming up with something unique to serve your guests over the holidays can be a challenge, especially when it comes to concoctions to stave off the chilling bite of winter. Of all the options, mulled wine is a favorite. It’s a classic wine-based drink that can be easily made ahead of time and served by the glass when family and friends pop over. Remember that as with any recipe the real fun is in the interpretation so feel free to take the notes and add or create your own version. Don’t forget to record the plans for your final concoction because once your guests take a sip they’ll be dying to know how to make it themselves.

The history of Mulled wines date back to medieval times where these wines were named after the physician Hippocrates and called Ypocras or Hipocris. Thought to be very healthy, considering wine at the time being more sanitary than drinking water, these heated drinks probably did sustain their health through the cold winter months..

Before you get started there are a few mulled wine rules.

1. Any red wine will do, but you don’t have to spend much money, after all you’re going to alter the taste considerably.

We use an average priced merlot. Aim for a deep full fruit flavor and lots of rustic structure - perfect for mulling.

2. Never let the wine boil. If it’s boiled it’s spoiled. The flavor of the wine/spice combination will deteriorate if the mixture reaches the boiling point, so keep an eye on the stove. Actually, microwaving mulled wine by the glass or mug full is a better choice. The microwave process concentrates the flavor elements that can dissipate when mulled wine is made on the stove in an open-mouthed pot, back into the drink. I usually find that one-minute on high heat works best but get there in 20-second increments to ensure the mulled wine doesn’t reach the boiling point.

3. Sugar in included in my ingredients list, because some find that added sugar soothes the tangy flavor the mulled wine can express after being warmed up. Some prefer diluting the mulled wine with herbal or citrus tea. Tea (especially citrus or herbal oriented varieties) not only softens the flavor but it adds subtle elements that the mulled wine doesn’t have on its own. If tea or sugar isn’t to your liking try balancing the flavor by adding a little water to the blend before pouring.

A Modern yet Traditional Mulled Wine Recipe:

2 lemons

2 oranges

1 - 750 ml bottle of medium, to full, bodied red wine Nutmeg (to taste)

Cloves (to taste)

1 oz brandy or Cognac (or to taste)

1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar (optional)

Herbal or citrus influenced tea (optional but excellent)

Water (optional softener instead of tea)

4 large cinnamon sticks

4 candy canes

Instructions for making four large portions

-Cut lemons and oranges into slices.

-Pour the red wine into saucepan and gradually heat.

-Add fruit slices, nutmeg, cloves and brandy.

-Keep an eye on the mixture and wait until it becomes hot to the touch.

-At this point you could blend in sugar or water (if desired).

-Pour into glasses/mugs and add tea (to taste).

-Garnish with cinnamon stick and candy cane.

Serve

As mentioned earlier, premixing the ingredients and microwaving it by the glass/mug full is just as easy.

If you’re keen on a holiday oriented drink that isn’t served warm why not try Ginger Wine. It has roots planted firmly in the Victorian Era and has a wonderful ginger essence that is as tasty as it is familiar.