The story behind having Mulled Wine on Christmas | The Times of India (2024)

FAQs

Why is mulled wine associated with Christmas? ›

Towards the end of the 4th century, this pagan solstice celebration became interwoven with Christianity and the celebration of Christmas Day. By the middle ages, mulled wine had become entrenched as part of the festivities throughout Europe.

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.

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 exactly is 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.

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.

In the early days of Christianity, wine became an emblematic symbol during the Nativity story, with the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine at the Wedding at Cana. This miracle solidified wine's significance in Christian traditions and its association with celebrations and festivities.

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.

You need to infuse the wine long enough with the spices to take on their flavour but DON'T ON ANY ACCOUNT LET THE MIXTURE BOIL as you'll be left with a bitter taste. Slow and low is the way to go. And it shouldn't be served piping hot, just comfortably - and comfortingly - warm.

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.

Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is an alcoholic drink usually made with red wine, along with various mulling spices and sometimes raisins, served hot or warm.

What is mulled wine referred to as? ›

Also known as spiced wine, this is an alcoholic drink made with red wine, along with various spices usually served hot or warm. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas.

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.

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.

mulled; mulling; mulls. transitive verb. : to heat, sweeten, and flavor (a beverage, such as wine or cider) with spices.

Serve chilled or over ice, with a twist of orange zest and a star anise. If you'd like to serve a traditional warm mulled wine, there's no need to chill – simply warm through without boiling and serve in heatproof glasses.

A top-end Pinot Noir would be the one we'd reach for in this case. It's the ultimate flexible red wine, capable of pairing with a massive array of festive treats, and which is also probably the best wine to choose if you're looking to make mulled wine, too - a traditional winter treat across much of Europe.

From classic favorites like eggnog and mulled wine to creative concoctions like spiked hot cocoa and horchata, there are endless possibilities. Get inspired to update your seasonal menu with this list of holiday co*cktails.

In medieval times they were called ypocras' or hipocris', named after the physician Hippocrates. They were thought to be very healthy, and indeed with wine at that time being far more sanitary than water, these heated drinks in all likelihood did keep people healthy through the cold winters."

Traditionally made with red or port, Mulled wine combines spices and sometimes citrus to create a festive flavour symbolic of Christmas. Its roots date back to the Roman Empire. Originally, Romans put honey in their boiled wine, along with other spices and dates.