Mulling spice recipe??

[Mandakins]

Have been looking last minute for mulling spices to make mulled wine for a Christmas party. Had it once in England but have no idea what spices in what amounts to add, what wine to use, etc.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Amanda

[hotwine]

Welcome to the board, Amanda. The stuff you had in Europe was probably gluwein, a hot mulled wine frequently enjoyed around the ski slopes of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The easy way to make it is by using sticks of prepared spices (cinamon and cloves, perhaps others) that are simply placed in a mug of hot wine (one stick per mug is sufficient). You now have an HEB Central Market there in Ft Worth; look there for the spice sticks, in the gourmet section. The ones I've seen recently were in a small orange box. As for the wine: the Germans use a cheap red wine that's not much good for anything else. One that should work well for gluwein though is an inexpensive Rhone, such as Vielle Ferme red. It should be readily available at Central Market, and most other supermarkets, for about $6.99 per 750 ml bottle (sometimes sale priced at less than that, as low as $4.99). To prepare for serving, you can warm the wine in a sauce pan on the stove, and pour into mugs from there, adding a spice stick to each; or allow your guests to make their own, by filling a mug with the wine and adding a spice stick and placing it in the microwave on high for 30 seconds. I've not tried the latter method, but see no reason why it wouldn't work just fine.

[This message has been edited by hotwine (edited 12-20-2001).]

[winedope]

if you don't feel like finding all the spices yourself, Williams Sonoma, among others, sells a very nice mulling spice blend. If used with a tea infuser, this beverage can be made by the cup. If you are planning on a large group, it might be easier to make a bowl or pot of it. Instructions on amounts are included on the tin. WD

[Drew]

Mandakins, here's some from the Wine Spectator forums board that I found interesting.

http://web8.winespectator.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000248

Drew