Mulled Wine
Christmas is a season often embraced by chilly weather, so it's no surprise that food and drinks served at festive celebrations are typically warm or hot to help warm the body. Among the most popular festive beverages during the European Christmas season is Mulled Wine.
History of Mulled Wine
Mulled Wine is a hot wine beverage with a long history, gaining popularity since the 2nd century. Historically, it was the Romans who pioneered this hot wine drink, then called Conditum Paradoxum. It was an exquisite drink for high-ranking nobles, made from boiled red wine mixed with honey and spices such as pepper, laurel, saffron, and dates. It was commonly consumed to ward off the cold.
Later, in the 12th century, this hot wine drink spread throughout Europe. The French and Spanish would often boil red wine mixed with various sweet and spicy spices and various herbs. They believed that these herbs would nourish health and protect the body from illness, naming this concoction Spicy Wine.
The Origin of the Name Mulled Wine
In the 13th century, King Henry III of England traveled to Montpellier, located in the south of France. There, he tasted a drink called "Spicy Wine," a hot wine beverage with a unique flavor, distinct from ordinary wine. He loved this drink so much that he brought the recipe back to England. It was during this time that the hot wine drink is said to have been named Mulled Wine by the English.
Subsequently, in 1843, Mulled Wine appeared in the famous classic novel "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, officially cementing Mulled Wine's status as a Christmas season staple ever since.
The Popularization of Mulled Wine at Christmas
After this beverage spread across Europe, Mulled Wine's popularity during the Christmas season intensified around the 1890s, especially in traditional Christmas markets. Each vendor would offer their own version of the hot wine, with varying recipes. They also designed unique glasses or labels to stand out from competitors. This healthy competition among vendors attracted even more tourists to Christmas markets, such as Winter Wonderland in London. Ultimately, this hot wine drink has remained popular during Christmas every year up to the present day.
Originally, it was believed that mulled wine was made by boiling leftover or deteriorating wine and mixing it with various spices. It could be said that this was another way to make the most of the wine's value. However, nowadays, people don't drink mulled wine solely to utilize leftover wine for cost-effectiveness. It has become a beloved beverage that people drink for its delicious taste and enjoyment. Therefore, quality wine is often used to make this drink, resulting in a more flavorful and enjoyable beverage.
Traditional Mulled Wine Recipe
Ingredients
- Red wine 1 bottle
- White sugar 4 tablespoons
- Cinnamon sticks 2
- Cloves 4
- Star anise 2 pieces
- Orange 1, sliced into rounds
How to
- Pour the wine into a pot. Add all other ingredients.
- Heat on low to medium heat until the wine begins to steam (do not boil).
- Simmer for approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let it rest to allow the flavors of the spices to infuse into the wine.
You can actually adapt the recipe, adding spices and fruits you prefer. Some might add apples or various berries for a more complex flavor profile. If you have any delicious Thai-inspired Mulled Wine recipes, feel free to share them with Rimping!
