Christmas is my favorite time of year. The weather starts to chill, the decorative lights illuminate the magic within us all and everyone just seems so happy. But no winter holiday season is complete without the infamous mulled wine. Known in many places by many names and recipe variations… Vin Chaud in France or Glühwein in Germany to Gløgg in Nordic countries is a winter drink that warms the spirit and roses the cheeks. My introduction to mulled wine was when I had to make it working the counter at a southern food diner in eastern Harlem not far from the home of one of my favorite writers Langston Hughes.
The temperature in New York started to drop and the cooks brought me these huge mason jars they stored for several days soaking in fruits like a sangria. The difference was the whole bunches of cinnamon sticks at the bottom of the jars. I had to try this drink. I filtered the liquid gold into a frothing mixer normally used for my pumpkin spiced lattes and used the steaming wand to heat the dark ruby red wine to about 160 degrees of heated pleasure. Instantly, I could smell the amazing cinnamon and orange aromas escaping my cup.
This year I took a trip to Cologne, Germany to visit friends and they took me to my first German Christmas village! I was of course salivating over all the pastries and foods offered, but nothing made me smile more than a stall selling my favorite holiday drink in the cutest red mug. The flavors were a burst of Christmas joy in my mouth, I could taste hints of star anise and oranges and loved this version even more so than one we make here in the states.
One sip and I’ve been hooked ever since. So, here is my personal recipe for Vin Chaud- Yes after my time living in Paris I lean toward the French name; however; my variation of the recipe is probably more German than French or American, it really just depends on what under notes you'd like to taste. You see a good Vin Chaud is like a perfume- there are notes and under notes of smells or in this case flavors that bring out either memories of home or feelings of fierceness.
Roman’s Vin Chaud Recipe
1 Bottle Blended Red Wine (Dry)
1 bottle Malbec (good summer)
1/2 cup White Hennessy
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp (extract) or 4 cloves Star Anise
1 Orange sliced
1/2 Orange Zest
6 Cinnamon Sticks
2 tsp (extract) 2 pods Vanilla scraped
1/2 cup Bourbon
