Varene Vino Recipe - Hot Spiced Wine Recipe
1. Bring a cup of water and a half cup of sugar to a boil and stir until sugar is well dissolved and forms a syrup.
2. Add, 2 sticks of cinnamon, 6 whole cloves, 2 bay leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons of freshly ground nutmeg, 6 dried juniper berries, one vanilla pod, one whole star anise, 1 tablespoon fresh ground fresh ginger, 3 whole allspice, 3-4 large pieces of lemon zest, 6-8 large pieces of orange zest.
3. Stir the syrup continuously for 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Add two bottles of red wine. Warm, but do not boil the spiced wine.
5. Allow to cool a bit. Correct for sweetness.
Notes:
Never allow the wine to boil.
Strain before serving.
For white wine, I recommend you remove some of the spices, leaving vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and a few other spices of your choosing.
Cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla are spices that I consider necessary for white wine. Cinnamon and cloves are necessary for red wine. The rest can be played with.
Honey, or a sweet fruit juice such as apple juice can replace the sugar.
To strengthen the alcohol – add some gin or borovicka (for a festive flavor) or a little vodka.
To dilute the alcohol – use more water.
To sweeten the drink – add more honey or sugar.
When a wine is warmed, some of the natural wine flavors that tasted good at room temperature get a little too strong. This is why a lot of sugar may be needed in a varene vino.
Take a look at other delicacies of the Christmas Market by looking at our Guide to Slovak Christmas Market Foods.