If you enjoy mulled wine but you struggle to get it just right, not to worry. Here are some essential mulled wine making tips to keep in mind. With these tips, you can be sure that your guests will love every cup and soon they will be asking how you managed such perfection!

Choosing your wine

Many people wonder what type of wine is best for making mulled wine and the good news is that there are a number of excellent options. While you can use white wine, reds with a fruity flavour are preferred. Look for unoaked and younger bottles for best results. Italian and Southern French reds are some of the top choices. A quality Merlot, Shiraz or Pinot Noir are all brilliant choices. Remember, when choosing a quality bottle, you don’t need to use the very best but you also should not use the cheapest and worst quality wine. Mid-range quality is ideal.

Flavours

Next, you need to sweeten and spice things up with sugar, honey and various spices. These spices include cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Star anise and ginger are also popular. It’s great to experiment with different flavours and combinations until you find the one you love the most. You can add the spices directly or you can place them in some muslin cloth. If you add them directly, it does make it easier for the aromas to really penetrate the wine. However, you will need to take care and strain the wine through a fine sieve before serving. Another great addition, for those who enjoy a citrus twist, comes in the form of orange or similar peels. To create a delicious and thick mulling syrup, it should not need to simmer for more than 20 minutes. Once thick, you can remove the spices or strain the mixture so that it is ready to use when you make your mulled wine.

Uses for leftovers

If you have any leftover mulled wine, you can always use it to steep some cranberries or pears before serving over ice cream. Another option is that you can use it the next time you serve red cabbage. You don’t have to consume all of your mulled wine right away and you can make smaller batches if you would like to enjoy some wine but you are not expecting any guests.

There you have it! A few essential tips to keep in mind when brewing and serving mulled wine. Remember that certain spices are particularly potent and you do not need a large quantity to achieve the desired effect.