5 mulled drinks you can make in minutes
If you want a change from the standard mulled wine for this year's Christmas gathering, try Good Food's five festive mulled drinks you can make in minutes
Love those festive spices but want to ring the changes and use something other than red wine? We’ve matched five drinks with just the right amount of seasonal spice to create beautifully balanced beverages.
For these drinks we found that the spices impart their flavour after a short simmer so strain the mixture straight into another pan or heatproof jug to make serving a cinch.
Mulled rosé wine
Makes: around 750ml
Prep: 5 mins Cook: 10 mins
Pour 750ml rosé wine into a large saucepan with 1 star anise, 1 ball of stem ginger, sliced, 1/2 tsp black peppercorns, 5 allspice berries and 1/4 pink grapefruit, sliced. Bring to a simmer over a medium heat then stir in 2 tbsp crème de cassis, strain into a jug then serve in heatproof glasses or cups.
Mulled white wine
Makes: around 850ml
Prep: 5 mins Cook: 10 mins
Start by pouring 750ml white wine and 100ml Madeira into a large saucepan and add 1/2 lemon, sliced, 4 dried apricots, 5 cardamom pods, bruised, 1 star anise, 1 vanilla pod, split in half and 1 tbsp honey. Bring to a simmer then strain into a jug through a fine sieve. Stir in a few drops rosewater before serving.
Mulled mead
Makes: around 1 litre
Prep: 5 mins Cook: 10 mins
Pour 750ml mead (or cider) into a saucepan and add 3 tbsp brandy, 250ml apple juice, 1 strip of lemon peel, 3 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick and a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, sliced. Gently warm through until simmering then remove the spices and lemon zest with tongs or strain through a sieve before serving.
Alcohol free ideas:
Mulled tea
Makes: around 1 litre
Prep: 5 mins Cook: 10 mins
Pour 1 litre water into a large saucepan then add 1 tbsp dried rose petals, 4 cloves, 1 bay leaf, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 handfuls frozen mixed berries, 1 tsp cranberry sauce and 1/2 orange, quartered. Bring the mixture to the boil, stirring occasionally then take off the heat. Drop in 1 green tea tea bag then leave to steep for 2-3mins. Strain through a sieve into a heatproof jug and serve warm.
Mulled pomegranate juice
Makes: around 1 litre
Prep: 5 mins Cook: 10 mins
Pour 1 ltr pomegranate juice into a large saucepan. Add 1 sprig rosemary, 1 tsp sumac, 1 cinnamon stick, 1/2 tsp coriander seeds, and 1/2 orange, sliced – bring to a simmer then pour through a sieve into a jug. Stir in 1/4 tsp orange blossom water and pour into heatproof glasses or cups.
Like this? You'll love these Christmas cocktails.
Do you have an alternative mulled wine or drink you'd like to share? Let us know in the comments below...
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