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The Guardian
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Australians warm to mulled wine: a winter treat that smells as though you made an effort
There's something both medieval and mildly unhinged about heating wine. It feels a little like putting pineapple on pizza or microwaving fish at work, technically permissible but socially questionable. It's a tradition that's believed to date back to the Romans, who simmered red wine long before it was on trend. These days every country has its own version – some better, some bolder and some using white wine. In the UK, the classic Christmas market Glühwein (which translates to 'glow wine') has become so ubiquitous it's available bottled in supermarkets, pre-spiced and pre-sugared, ready to be reheated and regretted. Last year white mulled wine also made a push into the mainstream thanks to M&S Food, with mixed feedback. Advocates say it's lighter and more aromatic, while detractors say it tastes like Savvy B that's been left in the boot of a car in summer. As with most things, execution is everything. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning In Germany and Austria, glühwein is made with hearty reds, vanilla, cloves, citrus and a decent splash of rum or brandy. Sometimes a cone of rum-soaked sugar is placed on top then set alight, to make feuerzangenbowle (fire tongs punch). In France vin chaud tends to be less sweet and usually includes ginger, black pepper and cognac. In Sweden glögg includes dried fruits, almonds and raisins – sometimes served with a spoon to scoop up the good bits. Vino caliente, spiced with cinnamon and orange peel, is served at winter festivals across Spain and in the Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas. In Spain they typically spike with brandy or rum, while in Colombia and other parts of the Andes it's often laced with aguardiente, an anise-flavoured spirit. And in Japan you can find both otoso – traditional spiced sake – as well as unusual takes on mulled wine, sometimes adding yuzu peel or plum wine. In Australia we're not exactly known for our hot drinks culture – coffee aside – but in cooler climates such as the Adelaide hills, or even Sydney's unheated sharehouses, mulled wine is an increasingly popular winter treat. It's warming, social and smells as though you made an effort, even if you didn't. First, the wine. While you don't need to pour anything expensive, don't go straight for the dregs. Cheap wine is fine so long as it's not terrible. Twenty bucks is a fair price point, give or take a few dollars. Something medium to full-bodied, fruity and lower in tannins works well, such as merlot, grenache or malbec. Anything too complex is a waste, as the nuances will be lost once you start simmering. Second, the spices. Whole spices are better than ground. Cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves and cardamom pods are a great place to start. Citrus is essential and, as for sugar, taste as you go. Finally, your setting. A pot on the stovetop is a classic but a slow cooker or campfire pot will also step up to the task. Serve in mugs and garnish with a slice of orange to make it feel festive. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion The South Australian stalwart Taylors Wines serves mulled wine every winter at its cellar door in the Clare Valley. Its chief winemaker, Adam Eggins, kindly shared the recipe with me. 'I find mulled wine goes very well with rich cheeses and spicy fruit cake,' he says. 'It's the perfect warming drink, ideal for a Sunday afternoon tipple.' 1 bottle (750mL) malbec 1/2 bottle merlot 1 fresh orange, sliced into rounds 6 whole cloves 3 cinnamon sticks 3 star anise pods 1/2 cup brandy 1/4 cup honey Dried orange slices for garnish Add all ingredients to a pot and bring to a simmer. Ladle into cups to serve and garnish with a slice of dried orange.
IOL News
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
Warm up this winter with five delightful cocktail recipes
Winter evenings call for something a little stronger. Image: Ron As winter sets in across South Africa, crisp mornings and chilly evenings call for something a little stronger, and warmer, than the usual G&T you sip on in summer. Whether you're curled up by the fire, have a few friends around, or just unwinding after a long day, these cocktails will warm you up from the inside. Here are five of our favourite winter-ready drinks, complete with easy-to-follow recipes. Rooibos hot toddy Rooibos brings a local twist to the traditional hot toddy. With warming spices and honey, it's soothing and perfect for cold nights. Ingredients 1 Rooibos teabag 1 cup boiling water 1 shot (30ml) brandy or whisky 1 tsp honey 1 tsp lemon juice 1 cinnamon stick (optional) Instructions Steep the rooibos teabag in boiling water for 3–5 minutes. Remove the teabag, then stir in the brandy, honey, and lemon juice. Add a cinnamon stick for extra warmth and serve hot. Source: Woolworths Taste Magazine Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Rooibos brings a local twist to the traditional hot toddy. Image: Freepik Amarula hot chocolate What better combination than your favourite cream liqueur with rich hot chocolate? A perfect decadent drink for winter. Ingredients 250ml milk 2 tbsp cocoa powder 1–2 tbsp sugar (to taste) 50ml Amarula Cream Liqueur Whipped cream (optional) Instructions Heat milk in a saucepan until hot but not boiling. Stir in cocoa powder and sugar until dissolved. Remove from heat and add Amarula. Serve in a mug topped with whipped cream if desired. Source: Perfect decadent drink for winter. Image: Tatiane Herder / Pexels Spiced mulled wine (Glühwein) This European classic has become a winter favourite in South Africa, especially in wine regions like Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. Warm, spicy, and aromatic. Ingredients 1 bottle red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot works well) 1 orange (sliced) 4 cloves 2 cinnamon sticks 2 star anise ¼ cup brandy ¼ cup sugar or honey Instructions In a saucepan, combine all ingredients. Warm over low heat for 20–30 minutes (do not boil) Strain and serve warm in heatproof glasses. Source: Food & Home SA Glühwein is warm, spicy, and aromatic. Image: Eva Michalkova / Pixabay Ginger whisky warmer Ginger and whisky offer both warmth and spice, ideal for fighting off a winter chill. This cocktail is simple but packs a flavourful punch. Ingredients 50ml whisky 100ml ginger beer Juice of ½ lemon Slice of fresh ginger (optional) Lemon wedge for garnish Instructions Combine whisky and lemon juice in a heatproof mug. Add ginger beer and a slice of ginger. Warm gently (don't boil), and serve with a lemon wedge. Source: BBC Good Food Ginger and whisky offer both warmth and spice. Image: Cup of Couple / Pexels Warm spiced rum and apple cider Apple cider is increasingly popular in South Africa, and this hot version, infused with warming spices and dark rum, is perfect for fireside sipping. Rum also pairs beautifully with winter spices like cinnamon and cloves. Ingredients 1 cup cloudy apple juice or cider 50ml dark rum 1 cinnamon stick 2 cloves 1 tsp honey or brown sugar Apple slices or orange peel (optional garnish) Instructions Heat the apple juice with cinnamon, cloves, and honey over medium heat. Let it simmer gently for 10 minutes (don't boil). Remove from heat and stir in the rum. Strain and serve warm in a mug, garnished with a slice of apple or a curl of orange peel. Source: Yuppiechef
