Mulled wine – Vin brule’
Made with red wine, this traditional northern italian drink is a spicy and fragrant hot beverage that will warm you from within.
Equipment
- cutting board
- saucepan
- microplane
- knife
- strainer
- potato peeler
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of red wine I used Pinot Noir from California, 2020 vintage; any favorite red wine will do, and it doesn't have to be too expensive.
- 1/2 apple organic
- 2 orange slices organic
- 1 lemon slice organic
- orange zest whole piece
- lemon zest whole piece
- 1 tsp cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg freshly grated
- 2 pieces of cristallized ginger
- 4 tbsp granulated sugar
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Wash the fruit; on a cutting board, zest the orange and lemon; cut them into slices; cut the apple into chuncks.1/2 apple, 2 orange slices, 1 lemon slice, lemon zest, orange zest
- Open the wine and pour the entire bottle inot a saucepan; add all the ingredients; allow to infuse for about 15 minutes.1 bottle of red wine, 1/2 apple, 2 orange slices, 1 lemon slice, orange zest, lemon zest, 1 tsp cloves, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 2 pieces of cristallized ginger, 4 tbsp granulated sugar
- Turn the heat on medium and cook the wine mixture for about 10 minutes (do not boil the wine as all the alcohol will evaporate, unless you want a less potent drink); stir to dissolve the sugar and to infuse the ingredients; strain all the contents and serve immediately. Cheers and enjoy!
Notes
Vin brule’ is a classic winter beverage from northern Italy. It is served at bars or winter markets during the cold season and it is a preferred alternative to hot cocoa (usually served to the children).
A lot of my winter memories are tied to this drink and I enjoyed making it for my dad Carlo. When I make this drink, I think about him.
But I especially remember going out on Christmas Eve night to watch a traditional event called Nina, where a woman from each block of the village, would stand in front of the town, singing a very old Christmas lullaby (so old that it is thought to originate in 1300) announcing the birth of Jesus. It was an interactive event as the crowd would sing along as the chorus for the serenade.
After the event, which usually concluded around 10:30 at night. hot chocolate and vin brule’ were usually served, along with another classic treat offered by the local bakery: la Treccia di Natale, a sweet bread braided and baked, our local alternative to Panettone. Afterward, the town would gather at the main church for midnight mass.
Nowadays, I make mulled wine for my husband and me, especially when we decorate the house for the holidays or when the weather gets really cold here in Washington.Nutrition
Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 36IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
