Holiday Glow: Make Your Own Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is crazy easy to prepare, makes you look like a culinary genius and gives friends, family members and maybe even strangers -- depending on your lifestyle -- a happy glow. People in Austria, Germany and Switzerland call mulled wine "glühwein" -- "glow wine."

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Mulled wines date back 2000 years to Roman times when people drank it to keep warm in the winter, long before the mass production of earmuffs and long underwear. Spices were then added, in part for medicinal reasons, and centuries later people started including spirits like Brandy for an extra boost.

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Again, mulled wine is easy to make -- in short, you just combine wine, sugar and spices, and simmer. Almost instant party time. But a little attention to detail can make things even better.

Let's start with some basics.

Prepare some spices -- try a cinnamon stick, star anise and a few whole cloves -- and some fruit -- the peel and juice from an orange.

Add all of these to a pot of simmering sugar water -- boil 50 grams of sugar in 150 milliliters of water until the grains dissolve and then reduce the heat. Let that simmer for a few minutes.

Then reduce the heat again and add the wine. Medium-bodied fruity wines work well.

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Claudia Masueger, CHEERS CEO and CGO -- Chief Gluewein Officer -- suggests Montepalacio Tempranillo from Spain, just RMB 32 per bottle.

Now let everything simmer over low heat for at least 15 minutes and then it's party time.

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Of course, there are many ways to tweak the sugar, spice, citrus and booze levels in this recipe and make it your own.

Try honey, brown sugar or maple syrup to see which sweetener fits you best.

Adjust the spices, or add new ones, like cardamom and vanilla, or even local items -- I have included dried persimmon a few times.

Play around with orange, lime and lemon peels and juices to find the perfect citrus touch.

And give your recipe extra punch with stronger booze -- from rum and Brandy to Cointreau and Grand Marnier. Add it to the simmer, or individual glasses, then top with mulled wine.

Create your own signature glühwein recipe -- then spread the glow to family and friends.

And if you'd rather outsource everything, just order a few bottles of Rapunzel Gluewine.

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Original by Jim Boyce, Grape Wall of China 葡萄围城

Tap here to learn more about grapes and wine-drinking.

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