This makes a sweet little gift and is a great way to use up store-cupboard ingredients. If you want to be really generous, gift the other mulled wine ingredients, too, be that the wine, honey or maple syrup, orange juice or even a bottle of spirits. Note that all the ingredients for the pouch are optional – I’ve included a long list in the hope that you’ll have at least some of them to hand. Like chai tea, mulled wine recipes vary greatly, and are delicious even when made with just a few spices. All you have to do is heat some apple cider, add your homemade mulling spice sachets, and then simmer until the flavor is right where you want it.

I also recommend including instructions for how to use the mulling spices to make mulled wine or apple cider. Party Food. Some of my favorites for the holidays are Brie Bites, Whipped Feta Crostini, and Fig Goat Cheese Appetizer Bites. Achieving the perfect mulled wine requires precise control over temperature and preparation time. To preserve the delicate flavors and alcohol content, heat the wine gently to a simmer (around 160°F or 70°C). Be careful not to let it boil, as excessive heat will alter the taste and evaporate the alcohol. Maintain this temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes to allow the spices and fruit to infuse the wine with their flavors. Cut oranges and ginger root into 1/8-in. slices, and bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 3 to 4 hours at 170°.

WHAT IS MULLED WINE

Use a chai tea bag: In place of the cloves and star anise, feel free to steep 1 or 2 chai tea bags in the mulled wine (preferably caffeine-free, if you are serving this to a group in the evening). But my favorite uses for these DIY mulling spices are homemade mulled apple cider and mulled wine. How to make homemade mulled apple cider

When it comes to serving mulled wine, presentation is key. Use a ladle to carefully pour the wine into heat-proof mugs, ensuring each has a proper balance of liquid and fruit. An authentic mulled wine experience offers a variety of warming garnishes, with orange slices, citrus, and apples being popular choices. Spice sachets make great gifts for family or friends or even work gifts. They can be given on their own or as a personal touch to add with a bottle of wine. What Spices Do You need To Make One Bottle of Mulled Wine?Dutch Oven. A deep, wide-rimmed Dutch oven is the perfect vessel for warming this mulled wine recipe on the stovetop. When selecting a wine for the mulled wine recipe, consider opting for a full-bodied variety. Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon are popular options, while Zinfandel and Grenache offer an interesting change-of-pace for more adventurous palates. Although higher-quality wines generally produce superior mulled wine, avoid using overly expensive bottles, as the flavor nuances can be overwhelmed by the additional ingredients. To avoid any confusion for non-US readers, when I say apple cider, I'm using US terminology. In the UK, the drink that's most similar is called pressed cloudy apple juice. I have not tried this with alcoholic apple cider. How to make homemade mulled wine

Simmer over medium heat, keeping the temperature just below boiling. You should hear the liquid make a gentle murmuring sound, as the wine approaches boiling. When the simmer is up, use a fine mesh strainer to scoop out spices and fruit. For those who prefer a milder flavor, a white wine or Malbec might be a more suitable option. If opting for white wine, the spices can be adjusted accordingly to suit the lighter notes. Tip: Be careful not to overheat your wine! While some wines hold up to heat better than others, alcohol in general starts to vaporize at 173 degrees Fahrenheit (78 degrees Celsius).

Red wine is the base of this recipe. I gathered my best tips on how to choose a good wine for Glühwine down below. If you are giving gifts you will want to make them look that extra bit special. You can simply add a brightly coloured bit of ribbon or a small rustic gift tag to your spice sachet. Once you have your sachets made and placed in your jars, all that’s left is tying your tags onto the jars using ribbon or twine. You can make your own tags, or save time by buying these handy Christmas kraft tags instead. What can I do with this homemade mulling spice?