The Magical Flavors Of Mulled Wine

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

Mulled wine is a comforting, nostalgic, warming spiced drink that's an Irish favorite at Christmas time

4.5 from 2 votes

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Course: Cocktail

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: Christmas Cocktail, Instant Pot, Mulled Wine, Pressure Cooker

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute

Total Time: 6 minutes

Servings: 5

Calories: 246kcal

Equipment

• Pressure Cooker

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

US Customary - Metric

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 Facts

Express Mulled Wine

Amount Per Serving

Calories 246 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 9mg0%

Potassium 286mg8%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 79IU2%

Vitamin C 18mg22%

Calcium 40mg4%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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.

Tried this recipe?Mention @IrishAmericanMomBlog or tag #irishamericanmom!

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

Here are some more recipes and ramblings you might enjoy…

Irish Hot Whiskey

Irish Roast Potatoes

Mini Cheesecakes

Here’s a graphic sized for adding to your Pinterest boards, if you’d like to bookmark this recipe.