Best mulled wine recipes from around the world

You’ve just had an amazing day on the slopes, and your fingers are feeling the cold…  What better than a steaming mug of spiced wine from the nearest mountain hut?  Only ever a hop, skip and ladle away in any ski resort, there are all kinds of hot wines around the globe. We’ve mulled over our favourite recipes, from all skiing nations, to bring you the much-loved après drink in its many forms.

Mulled wine around the world

Austria goes gaga for Glühwein

Meaning ‘glowing wine,’ Glühwein is a steaming staple drink of ski resorts and Christmas markets nationwide.

Classic ingredients:

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 50g sugar (or to taste)
• 3 Cloves
• 1 Cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange (sliced)
• 1 bottle of wine (make it a bottle of Blaufränkisch to keep the whole thing Austrian).

Italy brews bellissimo Vin Brule

Meaning simply ‘mulled wine.’ The Italian version of the hot drink is especially welcome in the northern mountains and has become the symbolic product of Christmas markets.

Classic ingredients:

• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 50g sugar or honey (or to taste)
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Zest of 1 lemon & 1 orange
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1cm piece of ginger
• 1 bottle of wine (something full bodied and fruity, like a Piedmont Nebbiolo).
• Optional: dash of Amaretto

Norway does glugs of gorgeous Glogg

The name comes from ‘glödgad vin’ = glowing, hot wine. The 2 main differences from a traditional mulled wine recipe are Aquavit and cardamom. Served with a spoon.

Classic ingredients:

• Peel of 1 orange
• Handful of raisins
• 10 cardamoms pods (cracked)
• 5 cloves
• 5cm piece of ginger
• Handful of almonds (Blanched in boiling water for 60 secs and skin removed)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 50g of sugar or honey (or to taste)
• Large dash of Aquavit (or port, brandy, Sherry)
• Bootle of red wine (a dry red, like a Svenska from neighbouring Sweden).

France says Vive la Vin Chaud

Vin chaud simply means ‘hot wine’. The French version includes an extra touch of magic (a dash of cognac or brandy), often enjoyed with shortbread biscuits.

Classic ingredients:

• 1 stick of cinnamon
• Half an orange (sliced)
• Half a cup of orange juice
• 50g of sugar (or to taste)
• 2 cloves
• 2 cardamom pods
• 2 star anise
• Dash of brandy or cognac
• Bottle of wine (go for a good old red vin de France).

Slovenia snuggles up with mugs of Kuhano Vino

Simply means ‘cooked wine.’ It’s a staple in Slovenia, using honey instead of sugar.

Classic ingredients:

• Peel of 2 oranges and oragane slices for garnish
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg
• 4 star anise
• 10 whole cloves
• 10 black peppercorns
• 1 bottle of wine (there are some super Slovenian Merlots like Quercus).

Finland has glorious Glögi

There’s no better way to warm you up after being out in the snow all day. Finland’s Glogi, meaning ‘glow wine,’ is extra fruity and delicious. The Finnish add in blackcurrant juice and dried berries (optional) and sometimes is served with a spiced cookie.

Classic ingredients:

• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 cloves
• 3 cardamom seeds
• 2 star anise
• Peel of half an orange
• 1 litre of blackcurrent juice (or another berry juice will be fine)
• 1 bottle of wine (maybe a Scandi merlot).
• Optional: dried berries, blanced almonds, dash of port

 

Traditional mulled wine recipe

There’s no ready-made mulled wine in the supermarkets right now, so throw these trad’ spices into a bottle (or two) of red, simmer up and sip away!

• Vanilla pod
• ½ tsp grated nutmeg
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Orange studded with cloves
• 2 lemons, sliced up
• 2 star anise
• 50-100g caster sugar (to taste)
• Optional: 1 cup or 2 of orange juice
• Optional: Dash of Amaretto