As it is that uncertain time of the year, betwixt Christmas and the New Year, at Bagpuss's suggestion, I'm starting a

MULLED WINE

thread.

Now of course, if you don't like mulled wine, please indicate your preference, and I'll go out and buy some!

Currently, on my cooker hob, even though it is really rather early, are

Red wine, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, cloves, orange slices and a tiny bit of sugar.

White wine, with all the above spices and sugar too.

Come over and join me!

Too early for me, but what a nice idea. I'll be back later.

The very thread I've been waiting for!

It's 330am here... I've got insomnia. And just noticed that the MULLED WINE beside me has gone cold...

My ingredients sound like yours, Jane S, but I've never tried white wine, I must admit.

Does anyone have a favourite secret recipe they feel like divulging here?

Good idea Jane S, I'm on my way over.

I made some for a Christmas function which I was organising earlier in the month and left it on a very tiny heat to keep it warm so that people could have some when they arrived, idiotically forgetting basic chemistry. Well, quite a few years have passed since I did my A-level in chemistry! The heat caused most of the alcohol to evaporate so we were left with "mulled fruit juice"

I did not know you could mull whiskey. How do you do it, and is a really cheap whiskey good enough?

Am just off out to meet with 3 other peris from one of my schools for lunch. Is it all right if they come too?

Mulled Bag x

The more the merrier!

Bag is a connoisseur of all breeds of wine and has been hitting Sainsbury's mulled for a while now (apparently the cheapy one is sweeter and the Taste the Difference one is spicier)!

Myself, I'm a sherry girl...don't suppose you have any??

Pop over here on your way to Jane S and Bagpuss!

No, sorry! sherry makes me depressed, so I tend not to buy it.

Wine, beer, martini, calvados, etc etc, on the other hand ...

(ed) ah - I see Katica has come to the rescue! good show.

Will do - I'm on my way (get the pint glass out, please)!

Nooooooo, maggiemay, how can sherry make you depressed??? It is NECTAR *lol*. I was introduced to it by a dotty old great-aunt when I was 18 months old and have always loved the stuff..it's pretty nice in a tall glass with ice, too...certainly warms yer cockles, as my Dearest Granny used to say...

I'm coming too (mulled wine - nom nom)


Shall I bring some horses-doovries or some mini mincmeat-pies?

One of my favourite things about winter, as I said on an earlier thread.

M&S mulled wine is extremely good (slightly better than Sainsbury's, imo) and they also do rather a good mulled white wine (although it's a little sweet). I quite often add extra orange juice to the red or apple juice to the white, which is delicious if you like it fruity.

You can mull cider, too, of course.

Right, it's now past coffee time, so I'm on my way. We've just found three more bottles of sherry in the garage, Cyrilla, so I'll bring it and another pint glass for me.

If there's booze on the go, pour me a double, please.....

Or even better, a treble...

Actually, just pour me a soprano (somewhat bigger and stronger than a treble)

Hey, why not just go straight for a bass?! No point messing about!

I love love love mulled wine. I add orange juice to mine as it's heating - I like the fruitiness - but I have to stop my husband adding more than a drop of brandy. I like the flavour, but I don't want my mull to be too strong, as once I've started to drink it I like to go on, and on, and on....

I love, love. love mulled wine.... and it's never too early for mulled wine at Christmas time.....

*lol* andante!

Pity Bag is out at the moment but I'm sure she'll be along later.

Gotta go teach now...ho hum...but pour me a pint and I'll see you all before too long .

Mines a large mulled wine please! Thank you, just what I needed - cheers everyone!

Mulled wine is my favourite tipple at this time of year. I'm just leaving work, so can you save some, I'll be there in about 45 minutes.

What a bunch of old soaks we are !

I prefer to make my own mulled wine, and the recipes at the start of the thread work very well. I don't have a very sweet tooth, and that way, it is possible to adjust the sugar to each person, by adding a bit more in their glass as necessary. Yes, white wine mulls very well indeed! In fact any alcohol can be heated with spices and sugar. Whiskey probably needs to be diluted with a little water or fruit juice or both, and probably would be great with a drop of ginger too! Although not strictly 'mulled', beer, ale, and wine used to be warmed up by placing a poker, hot from a fire into the cup, sometimes with butter or sugar, spices being a little expensive.

So, sherry and whiskey for those who want it, and mulled wine by the bucket load for everyone else! Yes, please do bring the horsey doovies, and the mince pies and any other nibbles you'd like to share.

Time to party and have some fun, and no hangovers guaranteed !

See you all at my place, and bring a few friends too, I've tons of space

I'm sorting out the glasses right now!

Mulled Wine? Hmmmmm, lovely! Any mince pies?

As for Whisky, (or whixky as I mistyped first time) I like a glass very rarely, but it goes really well with a wedge of Wensleydale cheese and a slice of Christmas cake (an odd mixture but one I read about in the "All Creatures Creat and Small" books many years ago, so I tried it and found how wonderful it can be).

Yes - mince-pies here - coming over.

Sorry they aren't home-made - but not bad for shop ones.

Whisky and rich fruit cake and cheese is a wonderful combination! In fact, you can pour the whisky over the cake as it matures, but obviously a blend, not the really good stuff!

So, mulled wine, and assorted other tipples for those who want them, mince pies, and nibbles, sounds like a great evening to be had by all!

CHEERS!

The Bag has arrived.....with bottle and a large straw. May I sit in a corner with my party hat on please and just suck quietly in manner of very, very contented child???



Tipsy-Bag x

Just as well. We've run out here.

Oh boy.

Do I NEED a pint of sherry right now!!!

Get pouring, please...I too have a straw and will join my sis in the corner...

Can I come and share your sherry, C?

Get a straw!!!

Slurrrrp...


*hic*

My hubby needed company last night, so apologies for my lack of hostess skills!

I luuuuuuurrrrrrrvvvveeeeee sherry!

So, for tonight's drink fest I will have on offer

Red mulled wine, white mulled wine, sherry, whisky, soft drinks for the drivers, fruit cake (with and without icing), wensleydale cheese and cheddar for those who prefer it, mince pies, cheese straws, and cucumber sandwiches.

Doors open round my humble abode at 6.30pm, all are welcome!

Pint glasses, dainty glasses, loving cups and straws will all be available.

Yipee... All back to JaneS's house

Yay, I'm all packed already!

Bx

Oh yum, yum!

I think we might need one of these:

I had a hot toddy at the Kirkstone Inn (highest hostelry in the Lake District) on 2 January. It was compensation for having to abort our ascent of Red Screes owing to ice on the pitched path.