When the frost begins to settle on the windows, there is no better remedy than a warm mug of traditional Italian mulled wine. This classic "Vin Brulé" transforms a simple bottle of red into a fragrant, citrus-infused masterpiece that fills your home with the inviting scents of the holiday season.

Recipe Details

  • Yields: 4
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 15 min
  • Total Time: 20 min

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 large orange
  • 1 large lemon

Instructions

  1. Pour the entire bottle of wine into a large stock pot and set the burner to medium-high heat.
  2. While the wine begins to warm, use a mortar and pestle to gently crush the cinnamon, cloves, and star anise to release their aromatic oils.
  3. Prepare the fruit by peeling and juicing both the orange and the lemon. Add the fresh juice and the colorful peels to the pot, making sure to avoid including any of the bitter white pith.
  4. As soon as the wine reaches a simmer, immediately reduce the heat to low and stir in the sugar and the crushed spices.
  5. Allow the mixture to cook on low for at least 15 minutes, which gives the flavors ample time to marry and infuse.
  6. Keep the temperature steady on a low setting so the wine stays hot and continues to develop flavor without reaching a boil, as boiling will burn off the alcohol.
  7. This recipe is very flexible; you can easily double the batch for a party or adjust the spice levels to match your own personal preference.

Tips for Success

This beverage is highly customizable, so do not hesitate to scale the ingredients up or down depending on your taste for sweetness or spice. The most important rule is to maintain a very low flame during the infusion process to ensure the wine remains flavorful and potent without bubbling away.

Ladle this steaming brew into your favorite mugs and enjoy a cozy Italian tradition right in your own kitchen.