MULLED WINE

Because it’s already Christmas, I’m posting a recipe for one of the most typical drinks in Italy and Central Europe: vin brulé also called mulled wine. It is an aromatic beverage that includes red wine, spices, sugar, and orange peel, and is taken hot or warm.

I have fond memories of vin brulé from the time I lived in Italy. I remember it was something you would always find in Christmas markets. In Bologna, where it gets very cold in winter, a warm drink was most welcome.

Preparing this mulled wine is incredibly easy and most people like it because of its low alcohol content. I make it at home every Christmas and I get my ingredients at Gadis Supermercados, including the cinnamon sticks.

INGREDIENTS

1,5 liter (about 6,5 cups) full-bodied red wine

3 cinnamon sticks

175 gr (7 tbsp) granulated white sugar

15 cloves

5-star anise

10 juniper berries

The peel of an orange

The peel of a lemon

PREPARATION

Carefully peel one orange and one lemon, without removing the albedo (the white inner peel), because we don’t want to end up with a drink that’s too bitter. Now, put the sugar, cloves, cinnamon sticks, juniper berries, star anise, and citrus peels in a saucepan. Pour the red wine and cook over low heat, without boiling and stir for about 5 minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Then, bring a flame, for example, that of a match, close to the wine but be careful not to burn yourself. You will set the wine alight and let it burn until the flame dies. Now strain the wine and serve hot!

If you are planning on preparing this mulled wine this Christmas and posting it on Instagram, please feel free to tag me, I’d love to see it! @carlotafarina