One of the most delicious warm beverages during the winter season is mulled wine. When brewing this drink, there are a few basic, yet important, tips that you should keep in mind. With the following advice, you will make the most comforting winter drink.

Popular ingredients

Mulled wine can be made in a number of ways and with various combinations of popular ingredients. The ingredients you choose will depend on your personal preferences and you can adjust the quantities of each to suit your taste buds. Some of the most popular ingredients include cinnamon sticks, cloves and citrus rind. You can also add anise, vanilla pods and nutmeg. Some spices are stronger than others so rather add small amounts at a time. You should also add the solid varieties rather than ground spices and your wine must be strained when serving.

Choose your wine

It is important to use the right type of wine for your brew. While you can make mulled wine using certain white wines, reds are far more popular. Choose a good quality bottle, add your spices and allow the mixture to heat up on a low setting for 15 minutes. Do not allow the mixture to boil furiously since this will ruin its flavour. It is best to take it slow and allow the flavours to all come together.

A stronger brew

If you are in the mood for something a little stronger, you can add some Curacao, Grand Marnier or Cointreau. This will increase the alcohol content of your mulled wine and it will change the flavour of course. You might like to try small quantities at first before making a larger batch. It is important to only add a dash of one of these liqueurs to enhance the flavour of the wine rather than overpower it.

Sweeten it up

Lastly, don’t forget to add some sugar. Mulled wine tastes so much better when it is sweetened up. It is advisable for you to add small amounts of sugar at a time. If you are serving this drink to some guests, you should allow them to add sugar according to their own preferences.

Don’t forget, you should always serve mulled wine while it’s hot. Not only does this make sure that the aroma fills the air, but it will also warm you up that much more. If you plan on enjoying some time outdoors, a cup will certainly help you keep warm.