Vin Chaud
Vin chaud is a warm, mulled wine cocktail that is a staple at Christmas markets all over France. It’s also perfect for entertaining around the holidays. Makes 6 servings.
Vin chaud has easily become one of my favorite Christmas traditions since we moved to France. I look forward to it every year, but I really wanted to try making it at home – in preparation for when we no longer live here. And, I think I’ve perfected the recipe.
There’s so much more to do in Paris during the holidays. There’s the Ferris wheel at Place de la Concorde, ice skating with the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop, Christmas lights a-plenty and the Christmas market lining the Champs-Elyseés. Fresh crepes and waffles, Christmas beer and warm cups of vin chaud.
Of course, vin chaud is the star of every Christmas market in the country, but it’s especially festive when you’re roaming the glowing Parisian streets. There’s glowing from rain, not just Christmas lights, but it’s a beautiful sight to see.
Why I love this mulled wine recipe
- Vin chaud doesn’t require a fancy or expensive wine. I think the bottle I used cost me maybe 2 euros. Personally, I think any wine would do, but a softer, fruitier wine seems a little better suited for mulling.
- It’s easy to make, just steep warmed wine with mulling spices for a short while and you’ll have a warm, cozy Parisian cocktail for the holidays.
- When it’s ready, serve them in fancy glass mugs or hot toddy glasses – if you have them.
And, if you like this recipe, make sure to check out my mulled wine cranberry sauce. It’s perfect to spice up your holiday meal. This non alcoholic mulled wine is a fun, kid friendly way to enjoy the same cozy, mulling spices.
Searching for more warm beverage recipes? This dirty chai latte, pumpkin spice latte or this vegan hot chocolate are all creamy, warm dairy free beverages you might love.
Ingredients & substitutions
- Wine – The best type of wine to choose is a medium or full-bodied red wine with good acidity and fruit-forward flavors.
- Navel orange
- Fresh ginger
- Anise, cloves and cinnamon
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
The following is a detailed overview of the recipe steps with added tips and tricks for recipe success. For a simplified and printable version, including ingredient amounts and more formal instructions, see the recipe card below.
How to make this vin chaud recipe
Warm the wine. Heat wine in a large saucepan, over medium heat. When wine is warmed, stir in the sugar. Stir occasionally until the sugar has fully dissolved into the wine.
Steep the spices. Drop in the mulling spices (cinnamon, anise, cloves, ginger and citrus) and reduce the heat to low. Simmer to allow spices to infuse into the wine, I would recommend steeping for at least 30 minutes.
Serve. Pour into glass mugs and serve with a orange twist.
More drink choices: If you love the flavors of this drink, you will definitely love my Christmas sangria. For a family/kid-friendly option, try my non alcoholic mulled wine.
Everything to know about making vin chaud
Ingredients
- 750 ml bottle red wine
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 navel orange (sliced)
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- 5 whole cloves
- 1 1- inch piece fresh ginger (peeled)
- 1 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine wine and sugar. Heat over medium until sugar is dissolved, stirring as needed.
- Add the remaining ingredients and reduce heat to lowest setting and simmer for at least 30 minutes.
Mmhhh…I remember this holiday tradition from German Christmas markets. There its called Glühwein, literally meaning glowing wine 🙂
Just noticed it doesn’t say in the recipe when to add the remaining ingredients.
It said in the first step that “until sugar is dissolved”. I guess after sugar dissolves.
Yum! This sounds just perfect, and your photos are gorgeous! Uh.. so jealous that you’re in Paris…. so.. love it while you can!!