Spiced Mulled Wine (or Cider) & What to Serve with It
This is my famous mulled wine recipe. It’s one of my family’s must-make beverages for fall and winter entertaining, and is beloved by so many that I knew I had to include it in my cookbook, Gatherings: Bringing People Together with Food.
I’m often asked what to serve with mulled wine, and seeing as fall and the holidays are fast approaching, I’ve put together a list to help you with fall and holiday hosting ideas. While I can’t think of anything that wouldn’t work well with mulled wine, the following suggestions are especially complimentary.
Appetizers or Finger Food Ideas:
- Mini meat/mince pies with Stilton
- Assorted cheeses (Stilton is a must) and breads/crackers
- Sausage rolls
- Mini quiches
- Christmas cookies
- Bacon-wrapped dates
- Roasted chestnuts
Main Course Options to Serve with Mulled Wine:
- Roast beef or lamb with roasted potatoes and veg
One last thing: if you have leftover mulled wine DO NOT discard it! Use it to slow cook a pork shoulder for a delicious seasonal take on pulled pork.
So, are you a mulled wine fan? What do you like to serve with yours?
Spiced Mulled Wine (or Cider) Recipe:
Serves a medium-sized crowd
You’ll Need:
- 1 navel orange
- 1 lemon peel slice (for mulled wine only)
- 1 lime peel slice (for mulled wine only)
- 6-8 whole cloves
- 3-4 small (or 2 large broken) cinnamon sticks
- 3 fresh bay leaves
- .5 tsp. fresh grated nutmeg
- 1 vanilla bean, split
- 2-3 whole star anise
- 2 cardamon pods
- 1 cup granulated sugar (1 ½ cups if using 3 bottles of wine)
- 2-3 750 mL bottles of red wine
Optional:
- ¼ cup orange-flavoured liqueur like Cointreau or even brandy (for mulled wine only)
- Cinnamon sticks and orange slices, for garnish
Prep & Cook:
- Peel and juice the orange. In a large pot, combine the citrus peels, the juice of the orange, all of the spices and sugar. Set over medium heat and give it a few stirs, lightly toasting the ingredients to release some of the flavours.
- Add 1 cup of wine and stir continuously until the sugar is dissolved; add a little more wine, if needed. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil, letting it bubble for five minutes or until it becomes thick and syrupy.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the rest of the wine. Stir, and heat to warm through. Add the liqueur, if using, and mix well. Turn off the heat and strain into glass tumblers. Serve with a cinnamon stick and orange slice.
Good to Know:
- Feel free to replace the wine with apple cider for a non-alcoholic version of the same drink.
- Both variations of this recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Gently rewarm just before serving.
