Everyone has heard of mulled wine and many have tried it. But very few people know where it came from or how it became so popular. Discover its origins here and check out our simple recipe so you can make a batch of your own.
Mulled wine originated in the 2nd century. It was created by the Romans who would heat wine to defend their bodies against the cold winter. As the Romans conquered much of Europe throughout the next century, their love for mulled wine spread across their empire and the regions they traded with.
As its popularity continued to grow throughout the middle ages, Europeans would mix heated wine with spices because they believed it would promote health and avoid sickness. They would also use herbs and flowers as natural sweeteners to make unpalatable wines taste a lot nicer.
Over time, the craze for mulled wine faded across most of Europe except for Sweden, where its popularity only increased. Claret (Rhen wine, sugar, honey and spices) and Lutendrank (various spices, wine and milk) were just two of the variations that the Swedish monarchy made famous over the coming centuries.
As more alternatives developed over time, recipe books started using the collective name glögg, first mentioned in 1609. The next big adaptation took place in the 1800s when cognacs-glögg started to become popular, too.
The big turning point came in the 1890s, when glögg became associated with Christmas. Every wine merchant across the country had their own unique recipe to share. Over time, these unique bottles (most depicting Santa Claus) were distributed throughout the rest of Europe – uprooting the long forgotten mulled wine in a new festive light.
Over the next several decades, mulled wine had become a global phenomenon, with countries all over the world creating their own unique blends. Variations now include everything from red and white wines to sangria blends and vermouth to port – each country's method slightly different from the next.
To this day, mulled wine continues to be a Christmas tradition alongside its sister drink, mulled cider. I've put together a quick and easy recipe so you too can make your very own batch!
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FAQs
The first traces of mulled wine date back to the Roman Empire, in the year 20 AD, where it was called Conditum Paradoxum. To make it, the Romans put honey to boil in wine, then added spices (pepper, laurel, saffron), and dates. This mixture was then blended with better wine to soften the substance.
What is the best win for mulled wine? ›
The best wine for mulled wine is dry and full-bodied, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Zinfandel, or Syrah. These will stand up to the other flavors and ensure the spiced wine won't be too sweet. Use Whole Spices. I don't recommend ground spices, as they will float on top of the wine and not incorporate properly.
What are some fun facts about mulled wine? ›
It was first popular along the Romans, who would drink hot spiced wine in the winter. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe, so did its partiality for hot red wine. People added different herbs and spices for sweetness, to make bad quality wine taste better, and because they believed in their health benefits.
Why is mulled wine drunk at Christmas? ›
It soon became a festive staple as people used to make this flavourful drink during winter months only. They used to prepare this drink, especially during Christmas, while enjoying the festival with their friends and family. Soon this became a tradition and is being followed till date.
What is the point of mulled wine? ›
The word “mull” means to “to heat, sweeten, and flavor (a beverage, such as wine or cider) with spices,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Indeed, mulled wine, or spiced wine, is served and enjoyed while hot, making it a perfect drink for the holidays.
What is the traditional name for mulled wine? ›
This traditional homemade mulled wine recipe is incredibly easy to make and always SO cozy and delicious. Also known as glühwein, vino caliente, glögg, vin brulé, bisschopswijn, vin chaud, candola, vinho quente…or literally a hundred other names, depending on where in the world life may find you.
Is mulled wine healthy for you? ›
The red wine base in mulled wine brings its own set of health benefits. Resveratrol is associated with heart health benefits and may help protect the lining of blood vessels, lower bad cholesterol levels, and prevent blood clots. When consumed in moderation, red wine has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.
Does heating mulled wine reduce the alcohol content? ›
Contrary to the popular belief that heating mulled wine diminishes the alcohol content, prompting many to drink it with an added shot of amaretto or rum, this happens only once it reaches a temperature of 78 degrees Celsius (172 degrees Fahrenheit).
Is mulled wine more alcoholic than wine? ›
The heat used in mulling encourages greater flavours from the citrus and the spices but also reduces the alcohol content, hence the common addition of a slug of spirit or liqueur just before serving.
What is the difference between mulled wine and glühwein? ›
Gluhwein is the German term for a hot spiced wine (It is actually spelled gluehwein, or there are two dots, (an umlaut) over the letter 'u'). Mulled wine is an English language term for hot spiced wine. They may not taste the same because there are many recipes that people have to make hot spice wine.
But what makes mulled wine so distinctive? One of the major players in its flavour is cinnamon whose main protagonist is the compound imaginatively named, cinnamaldehyde. Additionally, clove is key to the mulled wine flavour and its main influencer is the compound eugenol.
Did Romans make mulled wine? ›
The origins of mulled wine can be traced back to ancient Rome, where wine was heated with spices and served as a warming drink during the cold winter months. The practice of mulling wine spread throughout Europe, with variations of the drink appearing in Germany, France, and England.
Which country drinks the most mulled wine? ›
Over time, the craze for mulled wine faded across most of Europe except for Sweden, where its popularity only increased. Claret (Rhen wine, sugar, honey and spices) and Lutendrank (various spices, wine and milk) were just two of the variations that the Swedish monarchy made famous over the coming centuries.
What is the most drunk drink at Christmas? ›
Top ten Christmas drinks
- Buck's fizz. Likely to be up at 5am with the kids to check if 'he's been'? ...
- Champagne. Christmas is a special time of the year – and what's more special than a glass of champagne? ...
- Beer. ...
- co*cktails. ...
- Eggnog. ...
- Gin. ...
- Mulled wine. ...
- Rum.
With the influx of European immigrants, mulled wine, especially the Christmas aspects, became embedded in American culture. It can also be found in South America.
Is mulled wine an English tradition? ›
It's not Christmas until you have had your first glass of Mulled Wine. This warm, spiced drink was first recorded in England in a medieval cookery book dating from 1380 and has been a festive favourite ever since. For centuries the Red Wine was shipped in from the continent.
Do they drink mulled wine in America? ›
Mulled wine is heated with sugar and spices. These spices are generally cinnamon, cloves and occasionally a little star anise. Some people add orange zest or even whole orange segments. It is generally served around the Christmas season in Europe / North America.
What happens to the alcohol in mulled wine? ›
Unless you keep it boiling for a while it won't lose much alcohol content. While pure ethanol does evapoate quickly at a relatively low temperature, the lower the alcohol content gets, the more slowly does more alcohol evaporate at that temperature. Mulled wine will typically have between eight and 13 per cent abv.
