Craft & Cork >> Wine

It is officially fall and that means the changing of the leaves, Thanksgiving, cooler evenings, and that warm beverage season is on its way! To celebrate autumn and the upcoming holidays, RJS Craft Winemaking has developed a mulled wine recipe with a twist, so you can make it your own creation. Nothing could be cozier than a toasty mug of mulled wine on a cold evening!

Mulled wine got its popularity as a traditional Christmas Market drink in Europe. Crafted to keep shoppers warm when in the outdoor markets, it is infused with spices and orange zest has a nice sweetness and warm finish. Commonly referred to as “Glögg” in Swedish and Icelandic, and as “Glühwein” (roughly translated as “glow-wine”, from the hot irons once used for mulling) in German-speaking countries. It is typically made with red wine, and is sweetened, spiced and heated making it a delightful alternative to specialty coffees and hot chocolate beverages. In Quebec, red wine is mixed with maple syrup and hard liquor, and heated. The drink is called “Caribou” and is very popular during the Quebec Winter Carnival.

When to Serve:

Serve this beverage at your thanksgiving celebrations, holiday parties, as an after-dinner delight, or simply enjoy it on a cold evening. It can be made 2-3 hours ahead, and then reheated before serving. Or you can also prepare it before dinner and let it simmer during the meal (with supervision), so it is ready to serve post-meal.

How to Serve:

This drink is best enjoyed in a mug. Ceramic or porcelain mugs will help to protect your hands from the heat of the spiced wine, and the mug handle will make it much easier to drink. Glass mugs are another good option for serving.

RJS Craft Wine Making Mulled Wine with a Twist Recipe

Ingredients

1 bottle (750ml) of Orchard Breezin’ Plum Passion

4 tablespoons (60 ml) of our Cru Specialty Premium Dessert wine

½ cup (120ml) of brown sugar

2 cloves

2 star of anises

1 cinnamon stick

A pinch of nutmeg

Zest of an orange

Zest of half a lemon

Preparation

1. Combine Orchard Breezin’ Plum Passion with the sugar and simmer until the sugar is completely dissolve.
2. Add the spices and the zests to the mixture.
3. Bring to a bare simmer over medium-low heat.
4. Cook for 20 minutes.
5. Add Cru Specialty Premium Dessert Wine.
6. Strain to remove spice from the juice.
7. Pour into glasses and enjoy!