The Rise and Fall (and rise again) of Mulled Wine
Did you know that West Michigan and Rome have something in common? They can both get chilly in the winter! …Okay, so a lot of places have that in common — BUT — there is a reason we’re talking about Rome specifically! Rome is where mulled wine was invented! Way back in the 2nd century, Romans would heat their wine during winter to keep warm. They also believed it helped them stay healthy and fend off illnesses. As the Roman Empire continued to grow, so did mulled wine’s popularity. Spreading across Europe, mulled wine began to change and differ from region to region. Some added spices to increase its healing ability, others added flowers and other natural sweeteners to make it more enjoyable.
Throughout the years, mulled wine gradually lost its popularity in most countries. In Sweden, however, it became more popular. There, it was known as glögg. Several spin-offs and recipes emerged with different names and flavors.
In the late 1800s glögg became associated with Christmas. Pretty soon, festively decorated bottles of glögg depicting the jolly face of Father Christmas were distributed across Europe, making the drink famous again!
The idea that mulled wine had healing properties wasn’t just a pre-western medicine myth!
While we’ve learned that a lot of ancient health practices weren’t so healthy, mulled wine’s health benefits hold up! Ingredients like cloves and cinnamon contain a mild anesthetic that can help with toothaches. Cinnamon is also an anti-inflammatory. Resveratrol, a component of red wine combats aging by helping to rejuvenate cells! Red wine has also been shown to reduce risks of osteoporosis.
No need to mull over things, this recipe is simple and delicious.
We love using Frontenac with this recipe because of its natural sweetness. The bold, intense flavors stand up to the spices and citrus to create more sweetness and flavor than a typical mulled wine.
For our mulled wine, we looked for organic and minimally processed ingredients to get the most health benefits and natural flavor. These ingredients can be found in most regular grocery stores, so no need for an extra trip!
You can adjust the recipe to your taste. Add as much or as little honey as you prefer to get the right level of sweetness.
A major bonus that comes with making mulled wine: your home will smell AMAZING. The citrus, spices, and wine combine to create a cozy aroma that will last long enough for you to finish your batch (depending on how fast you drink it)! After you pour your mulled wine into glasses, you can even save the strained out/extra spices and orange peels and use them to make a scent simmer later!
These drinks present themselves. The bold red color looks great in any mug — especially creamy white. Garnish with orange peels, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Make sure to serve it warm for instant coziness and relaxation.
Mulled Wine with Frontenac Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 Bottle of Frontenac
- 4 cups of Apple Juice/Cider
- ¼ cup of Honey
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks
- 5 Oranges
- 4 Cloves (whole)
- 3 Star Anise
Directions:
- Zest and juice 1 orange. Peel 4 oranges. Set aside peels for later.
- Combine cider, Frontenac, honey, cinnamon sticks, orange zest, orange juice, cloves and star anise in a saucepan.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
- Pour into mugs and add orange peels for garnish.
- Enjoy!
