It doesn’t feel like Christmas until you’ve had your first glass of mulled wine. Those intoxicating wafts of cosy festive spices as you squeeze your way into a bustling Christmas party are the perfect welcome for chilly guests. Or perhaps as a rescue remedy after a visit to the School Christmas Fair which can very quickly turn into an ordeal when you run out of time and loose change and need to make a swift exit, only to be hampered by a child in full meltdown mode and extreme overcrowding. Enough said.
I had a brainwave that I could try using the REDMOND multicooker to make my first batch of mulled wine of the season, and it worked a treat! The gadget allows you to set the temperature for the liquid so it doesn’t get too hot, but simply heats it through gently and then allows you to keep it warm.
If your hob is busy with pots and pans for the party food, then having the multi cooker on the side looking after the drinks is a real bonus. You could of course use your slow cooker in the same way if you have one.
For this recipe i’ve used the traditional Christmassy spices of cloves, star anise and cinnamon and given it a good hit of citrus by using cointreau, orange peel and juice. In terms of red wine, it’s the full bodied ones that you’ll want to choose, like Chianti, Bordeaux or Merlot. There’s no need to spend a fortune, but don’t get the cheapest bottle!
Mulled Wine
makes – 6 glasses
prep time: 5 mins
cook time: 5 mins
Ingredients
1 bottle full bodied red wine
100ml cointreau
80g soft brown sugar
1 orange, peel and juice
1 star anise
6 cloves
2 bay leaves
3 cinnamon sticks
Method
1. Turn the multicooker on and set it to Multicook with a temperature of 100C and a cooking time of 10 mins. Pour the wine and cointreau into the bowl, stir in the sugar and then add the remaining ingredients and close the lid. Allow to gently heat up, almost to boiling point, then switch to Keep Warm function.
2. When you’re ready to serve strain the wine through a sieve into a jug and pour into glasses with handles.
Cook’s Tip: If you’re serving it to a crowd double the quantities, strain through a sieve and then return to the pot to keep warm for your guests and serve using a ladle.
Like the idea of a multicooker?
It’d make a great Christmas gift for a student or someone who doesn’t have a lot of kitchen space and needs a gadget that has lots of functionality. Read my full review
Find out more about the different models of REDMOND multi cooker… There’s a great deal on the REDMOND RMC-M4502 at the moment.
And the Cook with REDMOND app is always being updated with new recipes if you fancy downloading it.
Disclosure: I have been commissioned by REDMOND to create a Christmas themed recipe using their multi cooker and share it with you here on my blog.
Check out Helen’s Spiced Mulled Cider, also made in the REDMOND multi cooker over on Fuss Free Flavours
I’m still waiting for my Redmond Multicooker – thinking it’s got lost! Great recipe – Love homemade mulled wine.
Thnaks Jan, hope yours turns up soon!
This sounds delicious Katie. I love mulled wine far too much. Really impressive that it gives the same flavour from just 10 minutes cooking. Very impressive Redmond!
It really doesn’t take long at all Sarah!
I used almost the same spices in my mulled cider in the Redmond. The star anise was a revelation. So delicious.
Mmmm loving the sound of your mulled cider Helen!
That sounds good, I can smell it as I read the recipe. Just right for these cold evenings!
I cannot believe you made this in a multi cooker. Genius!
Good idea – I’m making my mulled wine in a slow cooker this year.
It’s so quick and easy Sally… And makes total sense for keeping it just the right temp 🙂