Festive Spice Infusion

This Italian-style mulled wine, known as Vin Brulé, is the perfect festive drink to warm you up during the winter season. With aromatic spices and citrus flavors, it will fill your home with a delightful and inviting aroma.

Festive Spice Infusion

A traditional Italian-style mulled wine infused with spices and citrus, creating a warm and inviting winter beverage.

4.00 from 24 votes
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Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tbsp sugar or honey
  • 1 tbsp orange zest (about half of an orange)
  • 2 tsp orange juice
  • 1/2 tsp lemon zest (zest of half a lemon)
  • 1/2 cinnamon stick
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • 5 oz full-bodied red wine
  • 1/4-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and bruised
  • 1 star anise
  • 1/2 of a vanilla pod
  • 10 allspice berries
  • 5 black peppercorns
  • 1 to 2 bay leaves

Instructions

  1. In a heavy pot, combine the sugar or honey, orange zest, lemon zest, orange juice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, star anise, vanilla pod, allspice berries, black peppercorns, and bay leaves.
  2. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until the sugar or honey is dissolved and an aromatic syrup has formed, for about 4 to 5 minutes.
  3. Reduce the heat to low and pour in the red wine. Bring it to a bare simmer and let it infuse over low heat for about 15 minutes, ensuring it does not boil.
  4. Strain the mulled wine through a fine-mesh strainer into a heat-resistant glass or mug.
  5. Optionally garnish with an orange slice or cinnamon stick, then serve steaming hot.