Hello everyone!

Christmas is coming, are you ready? Have you found all your presents? Maybe you are still looking for the perfect gift but I’m sure you took a trip to the Christmas markets and in these wet and rainy days you warmed up with the typical drink of this period, the Vin Brulè, a warm, sweet and spicy wine that has its origins back in ancient Rome.

The history

In ancient Rome it was called “contidum paradoxum” and consisted of a heated wine, sweetened with honey and then spiced with pepper, saffron and dates and served to guests at the end of the meal.

In Europe, Vin Brulè is drunk a bit everywhere but the first to associate it with Christmas were the Swedes, who at the end of the nineteenth century decided to bring this drink among the market stalls and to share the recipe with everyone.

In France they call it “Vin Chaud” (hot wine) and besides sugar and spices they also add a few drops of cognac to warm up even better!

How is it made?

No more talk … it’s time to drink! Below I share with you my family’s recipe, these are guidelines, it depends very much on your taste;  in my family we like it spicy so we abound on cinnamon and cloves 🙂

Ingredients and preparation

• 1 liter of red wine
• The peel of an orange
• A cinnamon stick
• 4 cloves
• 3 – 4 tablespoons of sugar (the sugar is very subjective so … taste and if you want it sweeter add some more)

Put everything in a saucepan and heat it up; the vin brulè  must be nice and warm but the wine must not boil … be careful!

As for the type of wine to use… it depends very much  on your tastes, I suggest you use a Cabernet Franc but you are free to try the wine you like best.

Enjoy the taste and let me know how it came.

And before saying goodbye I wish you all a Happy Christmas! Spend it with the people you love, maybe having a glass of vin brulè!

See you soon

Ilde