Description

This homemade mulling syrup is a fragrant, spiced base perfect for warming up red wine or cider during the cold months. Infused with oranges, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, it offers a cozy, aromatic flavor that enhances any holiday or winter drink. Easy to make and ideal for gifting when paired with a good bottle of red wine.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

250g caster or granulated sugar
2 oranges, halved
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
2 cinnamon sticks
¼ nutmeg, freshly grated
small piece of ginger, sliced
1 litre water

Instructions

Combine Ingredients: Place the sugar, orange halves, cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks, grated nutmeg, sliced ginger, and 1 litre of water into a saucepan.
Simmer Syrup: Slowly bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to ensure all the sugar dissolves completely. Once dissolved, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes.
Cool and Strain: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool. Then strain the liquid through a very fine sieve to remove all solids, leaving a clear spiced syrup.
Sterilize Bottles: While the syrup cools, wash your bottles thoroughly in hot soapy water, rinse well, and dry them in a warm oven to sterilize.
Fill Bottles: Rewarm the strained syrup until just hot, pour it into the sterilized bottles, and seal immediately to preserve freshness.
Serving Instructions: Before serving or gifting, label the bottles with instructions: heat 400ml of the syrup with 750ml of red wine or cider, and garnish with slices of orange or apple. The syrup can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months.

Notes

The syrup makes a thoughtful homemade gift when tied with cinnamon sticks and paired with a bottle of good red wine.
Use preserving bottles or any sterilized glass bottles for storing the syrup securely.
Adjust the sweetness or spice intensity by varying sugar quantity or simmering time as desired.
Keep the syrup refrigerated after opening to maintain freshness longer.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Beverages, Syrup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: British

Keywords: mulling syrup, spiced syrup, mulled wine base, winter drink syrup, holiday beverage, homemade syrup