How To Make Mulled Wine Easily At Home

Mulled wine has survived throughout the centuries in cultures worldwide for good reason: There's still nothing better than a hot, spicy cocktail on a chilly night. The ubiquitous winter warmer enjoys a reputation as both a good way to get rid of cheap wine and a luxurious holiday treat. And it's true: You're equally as likely to come across the stuff at a dive bar as you are at a fancy Christmas party.

Our friends at ChefSteps wrote in this week with a simple recipe sure to come in handy as the days continue to get shorter and we brace for what's been forecasted to be a harsh winter. All you really need is a bottle of decent full-bodied wine and a variety of bitters and spices. Check out the recipe, along with a brief instructional video, below.

Mulled Wine

Servings: 2 liters

Ingredients

2 (750 mL) bottles red wine

1 (750 mL) bottle sweet vermouth

3½ ounces Angostura bitters

Peels from 2 oranges

2 grams clove

Peel from 1 lemon

About 6 whole green cardamom

About 4 whole cinnamon sticks

6 grams nutmeg

About 10 whole star anise

About 3 vanilla beans, split

3½ ounces brown sugar

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a simmer over high heat, then cover and reduce heat to low.
  • Steep on low heat, covered, for at least 1 hour.
  • Strain or ladle, and serve hot.
  • ChefSteps comprises a team of award-winning chefs, filmmakers, scientists, designers and engineers focused on revolutionizing the way people cook by inspiring creativity and encouraging expertise in the kitchen. The site is currently offering free online classes called Cooking Sous Vide: Getting Started and Burgers, as well as a $10 class called Cooking Sous Vide: Beyond the Basics and a $14 class called Coffee.