Each Cup will Bring a smile
The cold weather is upon us but so are all of the wonderful things that come with it – apple picking, pumpkin picking, and the holidays. What pairs well with all of those fun moments? Mulled wine with juniper berries!
One of my favorite memories is going to an evening winter event at our local botanical gardens with my husband. Mulled wine was served from a big metal pot against the backdrop of stringed lights and snow-covered trees. It was magical! This was definitely before kids. Nights like that are hard to come by these days with little ones and early bedtimes but this doesn’t have to mean that we can’t bring the magic of the holidays indoors.
You can still have the wonder of autumn or winter in a cup without leaving your house! The best part? It’s so easy to put together and guess what? There is a benefit to having a glass of wine. Red wine specifically can be rich in antioxidants and if used in moderation, can have heart and brain health benefits (MedicalNewsToday). Whether it’s for a night in or at your next gathering, serve up some of this mulled wine. It’s something different that will get you and your loved ones into the holiday spirit.
So Simple to Prepare
In just a few simple steps you’ll be ready to sip:
- Slice a large orange into rounds. If your pot is not big enough to fit all of the slices, cut them in half.
- Pop the cork on that wine bottle. We used a bottle of Bogle Merlot (this has plum and cherry notes) and we used E J Brandy VSOP for the brandy. Add all ingredients to the large saucepan and stir. On medium-high heat, allow the mixture in the saucepan to warm until you see steam. Turn the stovetop to the lowest heat setting and cover on low for 15 more minutes. Serve and enjoy your mulled wine!
answers Just for you
Does it matter which wine I use?
Yes! You’ll want to get a full-body red wine that can stand up to all of the spices we will add. Light reds and heavy, woody-flavored wines aren’t going to handle the spices very well. Merlots and Zinfandels will be great for this recipe. Here’s the thing – it doesn’t have to be expensive. It just needs to be decent ($10-$20 bottles). We used Bogle Merlot for this recipe in particular.
Can you overheat the wine?
Yes, you’ll know you’ve heated it for too long if it starts bubbling over a long period. This cooks out the alcohol. The key is to keep it at a low temperature.
What if I need to add more spice?
Taste as you go. Start with the base we have provided and build from there one ingredient at a time.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version of mulled wine with juniper berries?
We have yet to try this but it’s always worth experimenting! There are alcohol-removed Merlots that we would suggest starting with. Brandy can typically be replaced with apple cider, pears, apricot syrup or apple juice.
Mulled Wine with Juniper Berries
Equipment
- 1 Large saucepan
- 1 Knife
- 1 Strainer
Ingredients
- 1 Large orange sliced in rounds
- 750 ml Red Wine (we used Bogle Merlot)
- ¼ Cup Brandy
- 2 Star anise
- 10 Juniper berries
- 6 Whole cloves
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- 2 TBSP Pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients. Start by slicing a large orange into rounds. If your pot is not big enough to fit all of the slices, cut the orange into half-moon slices.
- Add all of the ingredients to the large saucepan and stir. Turn the stovetop on to medium-high heat. Let the mixture heat until you start to see steam (about 5 minutes).
- Turn the stovetop to the lowest heat setting once the mixture steams. If bubbles form, remove the pot from the heat and put it back on once the heat has lowered. Cover on low for 15 more minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Let Us Know What you Think!
Drop us a comment down below if you made our mulled wine with juniper berries!