Mulled Wine & Cider

2022 Let’s Get Blitzen: Cocktail Advent Calendar – Day 21 – Mulled Wine and Cider. This is an easy-drinking, low-ABV mulled wine recipe that combines apple cider and fresh citrus juices with baking spices and red wine.

Like hot chocolate, eggnog, and a punch/pitcher cocktail – I ensure there is always some version of mulled wine in the annual Let’s Get Blitzen: Cocktail Advent Calendar. It’s a seasonal staple for a reason, right? Last year we went with German Glühwein, in 2020 we did Nordic Gløgg, in 2019 we did Mulled Port, and in 2018 we did a more classic Mulled Wine.

Next year I’m hoping to make an attempt at Feuerzangenbowle – a traditional German holiday drink in which a rum-soaked sugarloaf is set on fire and drips into mulled wine. It requires a bit of special equipment but I like to try new recipes and I’m sure there’s a way to MacGyver the sugar loaf burning contraption. I won’t be making any attempts at pronouncing or spelling the name of the drink without a reference guide.

The version I’m serving up this year is approachable and easy-drinking. There are no distilled spirits involved, just a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon combined with apple cider, orange juice, baking spices, spiced Demerara syrup and some freshly squeezed grapefruit.

This is a lovely winter warmer to sip on as you putter around the kitchen on Christmas Day or to heal your soul after braving the crowds for Boxing Day shopping.

Join me on Instagram Stories tonight at 5 p.m. to stir up this Mulled Wine!

Mulled Wine & Cider

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Mulled Wine & Cider

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

This is an easy-drinking, low-ABV mulled wine recipe that combines apple cider and fresh citrus juices with baking spices and red wine.

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Apple Cider, Let’s Get Blitzen, Mulled Wine, Red Wine, Wine Cocktails

Author: Yvonne Langen

Ingredients

• 3 cups apple cider
• 1 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
• 1 bottle cabernet sauvignon
• ¼ cup spiced demerara syrup
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 grapefruit peel and juice
• 4 whole cloves
• 3 star anise
• Garnish: orange peel

Spiced Demerara Syrup

• 2 cups demerara sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 star anise
• 1 whole vanilla bean
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Pour into heatproof mugs and garnish each with a swath of orange peel.

Spiced Demerara Syrup

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a low boil, stirring frequently.
2. Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for about 15 minutes until syrup is slightly thickened.
3. Cool to room temperature.
4. Carefully strain the whole ingredients out of the syrup. Once cool enough to handle, store the gingerbread syrup in a swing top bottle or mason jar and keep in the fridge. Syrup will keep for about a month.