Mulled drinks you can enjoy at home this festive season

Mulled drinks are a beverage that many people enjoy during the festive season and a staple at Christmas markets across the world. 

Food and drink experts at tabl.com have shared four mulled drinks that can be made easily at home to impress family and friends this Christmas. 

Clutching on to a mulled wine to warm the hands at a Christmas market is something many of us will be doing over the festive season.

Along with bratwurst, pretzels and hot chocolate, a classic mulled wine is one of the staples of a Christmas market and a drink that can also be found in many pubs over winter. 

As well as the classic mulled wine, different variations of mulled drinks have also become more popular in recent years.

Variations that can be found include mulled cider, mulled whiskey, and even mulled apple juice for young ones or those preferring a non-alcoholic drink. 

But whilst Christmas markets can be fun, there are those who may prefer to avoid the overcrowded and sometimes overpriced stalls.

Fortunately, the festivities can be brought home as making festive mulled drinks can be simple and easy, with minimal ingredients required. 

Caroline Lips from tabl.com said: “It’s not Christmas until you’ve enjoyed a lovely warm mug of mulled wine stood in the freezing cold at a Christmas market.

“But if that’s not your thing, then fortunately they are nice and easy to make for yourself at home.

“A mulled wine is the classic choice, but there are plenty of different mulled drinks that you can enjoy such as cider or whiskey.

“It’s not just for the adults and the drinkers though. Non-drinkers and young ones can join in with the fun, with mulled apple juice recipes being simple to make as well.”

Four festive mulled drinks to make at home

Classic mulled wine

Using a good quality bottle of red wine, pour this into a large pan along with cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, lemon zest and sugar. Cook on low heat for 10 minutes and then remove it from the heat to cool and infuse for 30 minutes before serving. 

Mulled cider

Using a good quality dry cider, pour this into a pan with apple juice and sugar, gently heating it to mull. Then add orange zest, cinnamon sticks, cloves and allspice, bringing it to a simmer before turning it down to low heat for 20-30 minutes. When ready, serve using a ladle into your glass or mugs. 

Mulled whiskey and ginger

Pour ginger beer into a large saucepan along with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, ginger slices and clementine peel, bringing it to a simmer. Remove from the heat and then stir in scotch whiskey before serving. 

Mulled apple juice

Simmer apple juice in a large saucepan along with orange peel, cinnamon sticks and cloves for about 5-10 minutes until the flavours have infused. Once ready, you can add sugar or honey to sweeten the taste.