Festive Cheers! Mulled Wine, Cider and Beers…

Mulled wine, cider… and beer? This year sees the rise of mulled beverages, with the word ‘mulled’, being thrown at anything, and everything, quite literately! From mulled confectionery, to mulled soaps, from Halloween to Christmas… ’tis the season to be, mulled!

Although there are some weird and wonderful mulled products to buy around this time of year, the number one seller is mulled wine. Having said that, mulled cider is becoming evermore popular, with a greater demand for it in pubs and supermarkets year-on-year. A newcomer to the mulled scene, having made a brief debut last year, is mulled beer.

Mulled beer, I hear you cry. Yes, mulled beer. Or beer infused with seasonal fruits and spices, if you will. With so many mulled drinks on offer this year, I thought I’d share my favourite mulled wines, mulled ciders, and mulled beers with you.

1. ASDA Wine Box, ASDA (Supermarket)
First up we have the ASDA Mulled Wine Box. This aromatic, fruity and spiced mulled wine is rich in orange, lemon and hints of red berry fruits balanced with traditional spice aromas of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon.

Not only does it tick all boxes on the flavour side, weighing in with a 2.25L box of mulled wine for just £8, ASDA’s mulled wine is also a great price too! Delicious served warm, but do not boil! You can buy a box of ASDA Mulled Wine here.

2. Liefman’s Glühkriek, Oudenhaard, Belgium (Brewery)
This beautifully wrapped bottle has a green paper packaging, with this ruby red fruit beer combining spices, herbs and vegetables which are added to the brewing process to create a complex fruit beer with spiced, seasonal notes.

Surprising great served warm, you will find the magnificent Liefman’s Glühkriek beer in select craft beer outlets. The beer has a cherry base, creating slightly tart notes, with cloves and cinnamon showcasing some fantastic seasonal spices. Go ahead and enjoy a warm pint of Liefman’s Glühkriek this autumn / winter! You can buy Liefman’s Glühkriek beer here.

3. Kentish Pip Firespice Ginger Cider, Canterbury, Kent (Orchard)
Kentish Pip’s Firespice Ginger Cider is produced at Woolton Farm in Canterbury, Kent. A spiced winter cider, which is mulled with a homemade spice recipe. The recipe includes fresh ginger with a hint of chilli. Serve hot with a spoon full of sugar (Mary Poppins style) to warm you to the core!

As ginger is viewed as a perfect complement to apple, and regularly used in chutneys and crumbles far and wide, the ginger syrup blends perfectly with this still cider, creating a well balanced drop, with an underlying heat from the ginger. You can buy Kentish Pip Firespice Ginger Cider here.

4. Marks and Spencer Mulled Wine, Marks and Spencer (Food Hall)
I had Marks and Spencer’s mulled wine last year, and the year before that, so can vouch for this mulled wine. A rich, fruity aroma with blackcurrant and ripe berries, coupled with the warmth from the cinnamon and nutmeg give this wine a complex maturity over a number of others I have tried.

The full bodied flavour and dark fruit delivers a sweet, balanced, slightly medium dry finish. A warming spiced treat for the winter months! To appreciate the subtle aroma, serve warm with a slice of orange. Remember to warm, don’t boil! You can buy a bottle of Marks and Spencer Mulled Wine here.

5. Heston Spiced Mulled Cider, Waitrose (Supermarket)
Heston’s Spiced Mulled Cider is based on a traditional oak-aged cider from Herefordshire that’s been given Heston’s twist with a secret recipe of spices, including cloves, cinnamon and ginger.

It’s delicious warmed gently and served in mugs with cinnamon and a slice of apple; you can also pour it over ice for a more refreshing serve. You can buy a bottle of Heston Spiced Mulled Cider here.

What do Halloween, fireworks and Christmas have in common? Mulled wine. The one time in the year when it’s acceptable to buy mulled wine by the case loads, people across the country stock up on mulled wine to warm the cockles (and the hearts) of the nation.

Although some wine critics frown upon the the black sheep of the family, namely; mulled wine, there are a number of award winning mulled wines that have made the grade this year, so I thought i’d share some of my favourites with you.

Have you tried any of the mulled wines, ciders or beer on the list? We’d love to hear what you thought of them! Feel free to share your thoughts by using the comments section found directly below this post. Cheers!