How do I sweeten a mulled or spiced wine that is too tart?
I prepared a spiced wine according to a recipe last night using Cabernet with a mix of Pinot Grigio and Rum. I suspect the Cabernet caused it to come out on the tart side after reading this question.
The recipe called for brown sugar, which I used, but it doesn't seem sweet enough. Should I add more brown sugar or is there a better way to sweeten the wine and temper the tartness?
Thanks in advance.
Best Answer
I've used both sugar and orange juice to sweeten mulled wine in the past, but obviously orange juice would change the flavour significantly. Add more sugar slowly, tasting as you go.
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Quick Answer about "How do I sweeten a mulled or spiced wine that is too tart?"
I like to mellow it out with some unsweetened apple cider and brandy. The apples and a 1/4 cup of honey adds enough sweetness for my liking. I like adding fresh oranges and limes, and adore the subtle citrus overtones that adds to the overall finish.Can you fix bitter mulled wine?
Some (including Jamie) recommend making a syrup first with the spices, sugar and wine but again there's the risk that you'll bring out the bitterness of a wine by boiling it. A better option is to make a spice infused sugar syrup as advocated by Susy Atkins in her excellent How to Make your own Drinks.How do you reduce the bitterness in mulled wine?
Sugar or honey. Not all recipes call for it, but often you will need it to balance out bitterness and/or alcohol. My expert advice: do not add any sugar or honey until the very, very end. You want to add it to taste because depending on the random wine you're using and the spirit, you may not need much of it, if any.Is mulled wine supposed to be sweet?
Mulled wine tastes sweet due to the sugar or honey added to it and also tastes fruity. The fruits used to make mulled wine are typically oranges, tangerines or clementines and sometimes apples and lemons.Is spiced wine the same as mulled wine?
Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is an alcoholic drink usually made with red wine, along with various mulling spices and sometimes raisins, served hot or warm. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas.How to Make Delicious Mulled Wine for Christmas | You Can Cook That | Allrecipes.com
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Answer 2
In a pinch, when cold thirsty guests are waiting, port sweetens things up and adds a deep rich flavor. Imbibers certainly will get warmed up fast! Just a few whiffs might be all they need.
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