Mulled wine is a comforting, nostalgic, warming spiced drink that's an Irish favorite at Christmas time. Chilly, wet weather inspires the need to sip mulled wine during Irish winter days.
It's a favorite drink all over Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it's served at holiday gatherings and parties.
I got married in Ireland over twenty-five years ago, early in the cold month of January. Instead of hosting a customary sherry reception, we warmed the cockles of our guests' hearts with a choice of mulled wine or hot whiskey. Trays of steaming glasses greeted them as they arrived at the hotel where we were celebrating our wedding.
Ever since I enjoy a little hot wine every now and then, and especially on my wedding anniversary.
The Many Names For Mulled Wine:
Mulled wine is the name we use in Ireland or England for this festive drink. However, it's a popular tipple all over Europe, so as you can imagine, there are many names for this hot wine.
In Germany it's called glühwein. In France it's vin chaud, and in Spain it's known as vino caliente.
Other names include glögg, vin brulé, bisschopswijn, candola, vinho quente… I could go on and on.
Just like in Ireland a little hot wine is loved all over the world. And ever since I arrived in America, I've introduced this warm, steaming wine to many friends.
Using A Pressure Cooker For Mulled Wine:
Come the festive season, I love to mix up a spiced and warming glass of mulled wine. Recently I discovered an easy and fast way to create delicious mulled wine.
The traditional way of making mulled wine takes some simmering time to allow the flavors to meld, but something special happens in a pressure cooker or instant pot that takes this beverage to a whole new level of festive goodness.
All it takes is one minute, to heat up this wine and create a warming brew. No waiting for simmering pots, just a quick steam in the pressure pot.
Here's my modern day recipe for mulled wine.
Ingredients for Mulled Wine:
Here's what you'll need. You'll find the printable recipe with exact amounts at the end of the post.
- red wine of choice (cabarnet or merlot work great)
- brandy
- apple
- orange
- lemon
- cinnamon stick
- star anise
- brown sugar
Directions for Express Mulled Wine:
Here's how to make this easy, speedy mulled wine which is done in a jiffy.
Of course, you need a pressure cooker. Instant Pot is the most popular brand, but you can use any pressure cooker you choose.
First prepare the fruit by slicing the apple, the orange and the lemon.
Pour the red wine into the pressure cooker and add all of the other ingredients.
Stir to combine.
Close the lid and valve on the pressure cooker and set on high for just one minute.
While the wine is heating, add hot water to your serving glasses and then discard it. Warmed glasses make mulled wine extra delicious.
Release the steam naturally and then open the valve and lid. Stir again.
Use a soup ladle to fill each individual serving glass.
If you'd prefer your mulled wine to be sweeter you can peel the orange and lemon and add them in segments. I prefer sliced citrus with the peel on, since it looks lovely floating in a glass of hot mulled wine.
You can also omit the brandy if you're not a fan of hard liquor, but I love the flavor a little brandy adds to this warming Christmas cocktail.
Here's the printable recipe.
Express Mulled Wine
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bottle red wine Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot or any red wine you like
- ½ cup brandy
- 1 apple
- 1 orange
- 1 lemon
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 star anise
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Slice the apple, orange and lemon.
- Pour the red wine into the pressure cooker pot.
- Add the sliced fruit, cinnamon stick, star anise, and brown sugar to the pot. Stir the ingredients together.
- Close the lid and valve and set on high pressure for 1 minute. Naturally release the steam and open the valve and lid. Stir again and serve warm in mugs or glasses.
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
Remember to always take care when opening a pressure cooker.
I hope you enjoy this taste of Ireland. Enjoy a little mulled wine at Christmas time, or any time you need a warming, pick-me-up.
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
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Mandy
I love mulled wine. I never thought of making it in my pressure cooker so thanks for this great idea.
Irish American Mom
Hi Mandy - This is a quick and easy way to make mulled wine. I highly recommend it.
Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely Christmas.
All the best,
Mairéad
eoin
Hi Mairéad,
Sounds interesting-but I'm wondering as Alcohol evaporates at 78 degrees Centigrade If It's pressurised at 117 degrees centigrade for 1 minute if any alcohol remains? Don't want to take all the fun out of it!
Nollaig shona dhuit!
Eoin.
Irish American Mom
Hi Eoin - Thanks for adding this important scientific note to this recipe. I believe the alcohol won't completely transform into ethanol vapor in just one minute. Time is a factor and how much space is left vacant in the pot to allow steam to form. I could be wrong, but I think if you let the pressure decrease naturally the ethanol steam will not escape as with a quick release, thereby preserving some of the alcohol. The wine will definitely be less potent, but at my age my poor head is thankful for that. Thanks for adding to this discussion about mulled wine, and have a lovely Christmas.
All the best,
Mairéad
Ken
Mulled wine is the perfect Christmas drink. Thanks for the recipe. I like adding a little whiskey or brandy to my mulled wine. I like how you included brandy in your recipe.
Irish American Mom
Hi Ken - I agree with you about brandy or whiskey adding a little extra zing to mulled wine. Thanks for stopping by and rating my recipes.
All the best,
Mairéad
Beth Sachs
I got married between Christmas and New Year (in fact it was our 14th wedding anniversary yesterday) and we served mulled wine to our guests at the reception. Went down well on such a cold day!
Irish American Mom
Hi Beth - My 29th wedding anniversary is coming up on January 2nd and we too served mulled wine and hot toddies to our guests. Both were much appreciated on a cold January day in Ireland.
All the best, and happy New Year, and happy Anniversary.
Mairéad
Kristen Wood
This was super duper tasty! Can't wait to make again. 🙂
Irish American Mom
Hi Kristen - Lovely to hear you enjoyed this flavorful warm wine brew. It's lovely on a cold evening.
All the best,
Mairéad
Toni
This is such a fantastic mulled wine recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Irish American Mom
Hi Toni - Thanks for taking the time to stop by to rate my recipe. I truly appreciate your feedback.
All the best,
Mairéad
Anjali
I absolutely love mulled wine! It's so warming and comforting! Can't wait to try your version for new years eve this weekend!
Irish American Mom
Hi Anjali - Lovely to hear you too are a fan of mulled wine. I just love the warm spices mixed with citrus flavors.
All the best,
Mairéad