Mulled wine is a spiced wine, usually served hot during the winter season. It’s made best with a full-bodied red wine and a combination of hearty spices like star anise, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. At times, smokey spirits like whiskey, dark rum and brandy are also added to the concoction, elevating it with compatible flavour notes.
A glass of spiced wine marks the season of Christmas in many households and makes for a neat welcome drink. If you’re looking for a recipe that will hold you in good stead, here’s one by star chef Shaun Kenworthy:
Ingredients:
- Wine: 750ml
- Cinnamon stick: 1 large
- Star anise: 2
- Cloves: 4
- A blade of mace
- The pared zest of half a lemon and orange
- Caster sugar: 80 ounces
Method:
- Add the red wine to a saucepan.
- Bring this to a slow simmer and allow it to simmer for around five-six minutes.
- Remove from the heat, cover it with a lid and let it infuse for around 30 minutes.
- Then pour it into mugs or thick glasses and serve.
“Make sure to use your favourite bottle of red wine! A good full-bodied red is recommended. You could add a dash of rum, brandy or gin for that Christmas spirit. Hic hic hurray!” says the man behind the menus at Glenburn Penthouse and World Bar III.
If you’re not ready to roll up your sleeves and make it yourself, here’s where to find the festive concoction in Kolkata:
Veneto Bar and Kitchen
A dry red wine with notes of herbs and dash of dark rum. “This recipe is a secret recipe by our bartender, and it’s lovely to sip on,” says Vanita Bajoria, the owner of Veneto Bar and Kitchen in South City Mall.
Price: Rs 595
The Factory Outlet
The Factory Outlet on Camac Street has a mulled wine that heroes malta orange and cinnamon. “We incorporate the regular spices, but this year, orange and cinnamon are the ones that are taking centre stage. We make mulled wine every year and it is a huge hit with our customers,” says Shivangi Bhambani, owner of The Factory Outlet at 22 Camac Street.
Price: Rs 375
Salt House
The Salt House on Shakespeare Sarani adds an interesting element to their mulled wine — nolen gur. Made with a full-bodied red wine, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, orange and Italian lemons, this wine is an earthy concoction with bursts of acidity from the lemon.
Price: Rs 775
Canteen Pub & Grub
Resembling a sangria, Canteen Pub & Grub in City Center 1, Salt Lake, has a mulled wine that is a medley of fresh seasonal fruits, almonds, cashew nuts and pistachios, and of course red wine. Psst: It’s served piping hot!
Price: Rs 575
It is recommended to check in with the restaurants regarding availability of these drinks before venturing out.
