Strawberry-Infused Mulled Wine

Move over, Christmas Sangria and boozy, Fruity Punch! If you’re looking for something warm and delectably comforting that’s got holiday flavors written all over it- let me introduce you to the goodness of mulled mine. Mulled wine: AKA vino caliente or vin chaud is a classic European tradition, were wine is essentially dressed up for Christmas. Simply put; it’s warmed-up, sweetened and spiced to perfection!

We add a little apple cider, some good old brandy, cinnamon sticks, a pinch of good-quality wildflower or raw honey, orange zest, orange peel, some cloves & of course- some star anise! But wait, there is a plot twist. Yes. Always gotta have one when it comes to recipe-writing. We also throw in some fruity, frozen strawberries which come in handy and serve 2 key purposes in this recipe:

Let’s talk about temps! If you prefer your mulled wine slightly chilled, you may use frozen strawberries as iced cubes.
The frozen strawberries give the mulled wine a nice, jammy infusion- as everything simmers slowly and comes together in the stove… resulting in a fruity & tart mulled wine that will earn serious heart eyes!

In my humble opinion, there is NO better way to warm up this winter than clenching a mug of mulled wine and your favorite quilt or blanket on the couch.

There’s something about this time of the year that makes me romanticize schnitzels, truffled fries, peppermint hot chocolate and mulled wine. I’ve been an honest, feverish fan of mulled wine ever since I tried it a few years ago on a bitterly cold Saturday evening while exploring our local Christmas market. It reminded me of holiday sangria meets apple cider; but with a bit of zing in it. It was like a warm hug in a cup. Made me homesick and happy all at once.

But I am here to tell you; you can totally make your own mulled wine at home. It’s incredibly easy and it makes for a great holiday party drink. AND, you must add frozen strawberries. They add the best berry-esque notes and a hint of sweetness that does so well to highlight the cinnamon, brandy and honey the recipe calls for.

In the Winter, California Frozen Strawberries are one of my freezer staples for anything from quick smoothies to morning muffins to raw, fruity desserts. And now, mulled wine is in the mix! Love that they’re packed with Vitamin C, affordable, and easy to stock up on when they go on sale.

So go ahead and give this little recipe a try, you can thank me later when you’re all warmed up and cozy. AND, Bonus: I included 2 different ways to get there giving you both: slow cooker or stovetop options. 😉

Strawberry Infused Mulled Wine

Servings: 10
Time: 1 hour
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Ingredients

2 bottles of red wine, I used and highly recommend Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot
4 cups of pure apple cider
1/2 cup of pure maple syrup OR honey (if your cider is very sweet, try 1/4 cup_
6 whole cloves
Peel of 2 small oranges or 1 large one
handful of orange slices (for garnish)
4 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise pods
1/2 cup of brandy
1 cup of California Frozen Strawberries

*If you’re making this for 2-4 people, I recommend halving all of the above ingredients i.e. 1 bottle of wine, 2 cups of apple cider, 1/4 cup of pure maple or honey, etc.

Instructions

Slow Cooker or Crock Pot

Combine all ingredients in your 4-quart slow cooker and stir, while heating on LOW (covered) for ~1 hour. Love that “set it and forget it” slow-cooker feel, easiest way to make this!
Lower the heat and allow it to cool slightly before loading it into mugs or heat-proof glasses.
Garnish it with a cinnamon stick, additional orange slices and some more frozen strawberries before serving.

Stovetop

Combine all ingredients into a stockpot set over medium heat, DO NOT BOIL or the alcohol in the wine will evaporate completely. Friendly reminder, do not boil.
Bring to a low simmer and heat for ~20 mins while stirring often. Lower the heat and allow it to cool slightly before loading it into mugs or heat-proof glasses.
Garnish it with a cinnamon stick, additional orange slices and some more frozen strawberries before serving.

Enjoy!

By: Aleyda | The Dish On Healthy