So in a nutcracker nutshell, mulled wine is a festive libation infused with mulling spice and citrus that is enjoyed during the holiday season. Elevating an inexpensive wine is a way to add your own signature twist to a cocktail that is shared with friends and family. We’re breaking down ways to get creative with mulled wine and how to add Iconic Mixers to make it more unique!
What you need:
Wine: Get a red wine that you like drinking but doesn’t break the bank. As always, we’re supporting local with Dos Cabezas WineWorks' Red Blend. Any dry red blends or merlots will be a perfect base for your mulled wine.
Suggested amount: 1 750mL bottle of red wine
Spice: This is a perfect way to use up all those spices you only touch once a year. Nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, clove, and cardamom are all favorites. The only way you can go wrong is by adding too much. Rule of thumb: keep to 10 total pods of whatever spices you choose to one bottle of red wine.
Suggested amount: 10 total pods of spices
Citrus: Add citrus that will compliment your spice blend. You can’t go wrong with orange and lemon. Get the most of the fruit by using a zester or microplane to remove the zest from the fruit before juicing.
Suggested amount: Zest and juice of three pieces of citrus
Sweet: Sweetener will give your batch the body it deserves but you don’t need to go crazy. That is why we decided to use Iconic Ginga Syrup as our sweet component because it’s low in sugar and high in spice. Iconic Cranberry Thyme or Spiced Honey would both be wonderful additions to a Mulled Wine!
Suggested amount: 4oz of any Iconic Mixer or 8 tablespoons of sugar
Kick: This can be so many different things. You can add a dash of cayenne pepper to give it some heat or some fresh ginger root. There are many combinations of Iconic Mixers we love like Ginga Syrup with Spiced Honey or Cranberry Thyme with Lime Leaf Tonic. Another way to kick it up a notch is by adding additional booze. Brandy, Orange Liqueur, Ginger Liqueur, Drambuie are all good additions. Check out your liquor cabinet and use that odd liqueur you’ve been sitting on!
Suggested amount: 4oz of additional liquid and/or a pinch of additional spice
Garnish: Fresh herbs or fruits can be added to while infusing to get more depth but you’ll want to strain these out before serving. Reserve fresh herbs and fruits to add back in for appeal. Persimmons, orange slices, rosemary, and thyme are good go-to’s!
How to Make it:
- Simply combine all in a pot and bring to a low boil
- Once boiling, reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10-15 minutes
- Carefully strain out the solids
- Return to pot and keep over low heat.
- Add garnishes
-Serve in mugs with handles to protect thy hands.
If you need some inspiration, enjoy this recipe that we’ll be sharing with our friends and family this season!
Wine Winter Warmer
- 1 750mL bottle of Dos Cabezas Red Blend
- 4oz Iconic Ginga Syrup
- 2 oranges zested and juiced
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 3 Cardamom pods
- 3 Allspice pods
- 3 Clove pods
- 4oz Grand Marnier
- 1 persimmon (half for infusing, half for garnish)
- 1 orange (slices for garnish)
-Combine all in a pot and bring to a low boil
-Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes
-Strain out solids
-Return to pot on low heat and garnish with orange slice garnish
-Serve into mugs
We hope you get creative with your mulled wine this season! Although we love traditional recipes, the season is an opportunity to showcase your creativity. Make a new signature cocktail recipe that becomes a fresh tradition. Make it yours. Make it Iconic. #justaddwine