HOOT! HOOT! This time of year is perfect for the Boozy OWL, as tradition (or choice) dictates that spices be dropped into hot wine, rum, and whiskey, making a delicious seasonal beverage.
During this special time of year, mulled wine is often sold outside by street vendors (particularly in Europe), where the Traveling OWL has spent many a day wandering down chilly streets, grateful for the wonderful spiced drink held in hand.
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Thinking of making your own mulled wine, or just interested in this tradition? Here’s some information!
The Teaologist’s mulling spices are a combination of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, orange peel, lemon peel and figs.
How to make Mulled Wine
When using our blend, or any other mulling spices, you’ll need about 3/4 cup of spices per bottle of wine. Pour a (usually) inexpensive bottle of red wine into a pot, add the spices, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. After that, strain out the tea and add a sweetener to taste (The Teaologist prefers agave, as it has a low glycemic number). You can serve immediately, or place in a refrigerator and reheat as desired!
Health Benefits
These spices offer many health benefits — they are rich in flavonoids and polyphenols; ginger is a digestive aid and excellent for the throat,and lemon & orange contain vitamin c. Feeling chilly? Warm, spiced liquid warms the body from the inside out; and alcohol acts as a vasodilator, actually allowing the warm blood to flow more freely (…does that mean this is responsible drinking?).
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Mulled wine is served around Christmas, and during the colder months of the year, throughout the world. Here’s a quick guide:
Glühwein: This traditional beverage is popular in German-speaking countries & the region of Alsace in France. It varies from The Teaologist’s blend, in that it is also includes star aniseed. Gluhwein often is served “mit Schuss” — with a shot of rum or liqueur, and has been consumed in this region since the early 1400s.
Kuhano Vinol Kuvano: “Cooked wine” is the drink of choice in Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Serbia and is often served with slices of orange or lemon
Vin Chaud: France’s “warm wine” is made with an inexpensive red wine, and is often simply mixed with sugar and accented with cinnamon and lemon.
Svařené Víno: “Boiled Wine” is drunk on the streets of Prague, and throughout the Czech Republic
Glogg: First consumed during King Gustav I Vasa of Sweden’s reign, this is the term for mulled wine in Nordic countries including Sweden, Iceland, Norway and Denmark. The main ingredients are quite similar to The Teaologist’s mulling spices — but in the cold north, citizens often toss in some stronger spirits, such as vodka, akvavit, or brandy
The Teaologist wishes you a Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!
XOXO
The Boozy Owl
Brew Lab Tea 