Q: I'm serving hot mulled wine at work and wondered how much alcohol is left after being heated all day? Is it considerably less alcoholic after 10 hours of cooking?—Gareth D., Newport, England
A: Mulled wine isa festive and fragrant treat, with a rich history.
Certainly heating wine is going to cause it to evaporate, and part of what will begin to evaporate is the alcohol. How much alcohol will be left will depend on a few variables: How much you start with, how long it is cooked and at what temperature, and what kind of vessel it was cooked in (an open shallow pan will evaporate faster than a smaller container with a lid). Of course, this also relates to cooking with wine. In fact, the USDA has issued a chart with guidelines to how much alcohol will be left in various food preparations.
When it comes to mulled wine, the common thinking is to barely heat the wine, and to heat it slowly. If you get it up to a simmer, the flavors will start to deteriorate. Ideally, mulled wine should be warm, but still easy to drink, so you can appreciate all of its lovely aromatics.
Some mulled wine recipes recommend adding a splash of another type of alcohol like brandy, which would boost the alcohol percentage. But no matter what you start with, and no matter all the other variables, if you're really keeping mulled wine warm for 10 hours, it's very likely some—but definitely not all—of the alcohol will evaporate. But the flavors of the mulled wine will also start to fade and get muddier after hours and hours of heat exposure.
FAQs
With the goal of consuming the alcohol, any evaporated alcohol is a small affront to the holiday season. But fear not, hot cider, hot toddy, and mulled wine lovers: Around 85 percent of your beloved alcohol will survive the heating process.
Is mulled wine less alcoholic than wine? ›
Red wines would normally weigh in with 12 - 14% alcohol are reduced down to 8 - 10% alcohol in the mulled variety as they are watered down and then bulked up with glucose, fructose syrup and sugar. However, they taste pretty good, although may lead to type 2 diabetes if you have too many glasses.
Is 13.5 percent alcohol a lot? ›
If you live in the US, you might believe that these numbers seem a little low, but for the rest of the world 11.5%–13.5% ABV is the average. In fact, the US standard serving of wine is a glass (5 oz) of medium alcohol-content wine. Most European wines will be in this range, as well as American bargain wines.
How to get rid of alcohol in mulled wine? ›
If you bring the wine to a boil, the ethanol will distill out of the pan first. By testing the temperature of the boiling liquid, you'll be able to tell when all of the alcohol is gone.
Does heating wine burn off the alcohol? ›
Alcohol does partially evaporate during cooking, but not as much as you might think. Depending on the cooking method and how much alcohol is used, anywhere from 4 to 85 percent of the alcohol may remain. After 15 minutes of cooking, about 40 percent of the alcohol remains.
How do you heat mulled wine without losing alcohol? ›
Heat until the wine almost reaches a simmer over medium-high heat. (Avoid letting it bubble in any way. Alcohol begins to vaporize at 172°F, so take care to ensure that the wine does not evaporate.) Reduce heat to low, cover completely, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours.
Is mulled wine healthy? ›
The red wine base in mulled wine brings its own set of health benefits. Resveratrol is associated with heart health benefits and may help protect the lining of blood vessels, lower bad cholesterol levels, and prevent blood clots. When consumed in moderation, red wine has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.
Does mulled wine help sleep? ›
Maybe sipping a nightcap is part of your bedtime ritual. While some people find that drinking alcohol helps them fall asleep more easily, alcohol ultimately has a negative impact on sleep. Even in moderate amounts, alcohol consumed in the hours before bedtime can cost you sleep and leave you feeling tired the next day.
Is mulled wine intoxicating? ›
It's an intoxicating scent that immediately rockets the mind to days spent bundled up outdoors, rollicking in the snow, only to come inside to warm up with a mugful of something warm and alcoholic. It's perhaps for this reason that mulled wine is especially popular during the winter holidays.
Which wine has the least amount of alcohol? ›
Low Alcohol Content Wine
- Moscato d'Asti: 5.5% ABV.
- Brachetto d'Acqui: 6.5% ABV.
- Kabinett Riesling: 8% ABV.
- Spätlese Riesling: 8.5% ABV.
- Alsace Blanc: 9%–10% ABV.
- Muscadet: 9.5% ABV.
Moderately low wines – 12.5 – 13.5% ABV
French Champagne, Spanish Cava, red and white Bordeaux, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Beaujolais, Spanish Rioja.
What alcohol has the lowest alcohol content? ›
Beers, light hard seltzers, and kombucha tend to have lower alcohol percentages. Conversely, vodka, tequila, rum and whiskey can have much higher alcohol percentages.
What is the best wine for mulled wine? ›
The best red wine to use for mulled wine is Merlot, Zinfandel or Garnacha (also called Grenache). These wines are dark, fruity and full bodied, which means they can support all of the flavors we'll be adding. Look for labels that describe the wine as “jammy” or with “notes of vanilla.”
How many units of mulled wine? ›
Healthy Heart Tip: Mulled Wine & Cider – Counting the units
| 1 BOTTLE OF WINE | 1 PINT BEER / LAGER / CIDER | 1 SINGLE SPIRIT |
|---|
| 750ml (ABV 13.5%) = 10 units | 1 pint (568ml) (ABV 5.2%) = 3 units | 25ml (ABV 40%) = 1 unit |
Dec 16, 2021
How long will mulled wine keep? If you mull your wine and have any leftover, you can keep it for 24 hours in the fridge. It may keep for a day longer, but if you have added fruit it's advisable not to leave it longer than 24 hours, or it may start to ferment.
Can you drink mulled wine the next day? ›
Just follow the directions for your favorite recipe and let the wine simmer with spices until it's deeply infused. Then let the mulled wine cool at room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container, and store it in the fridge — it will keep well there for up to three days.
Does the alcohol cook out of mulled cider? ›
Spiking Mulled Cider
Add alcohol to a single mug or the batch of cider after cooking so the alcohol doesn't cook off.
How hot to remove alcohol from wine? ›
With vacuum distillation, as you'd probably guess, the wine needs to be put in a strong vacuum. While in the vacuum, the wine is heated to gently boil off the alcohol, typically at a temperature that's between 70 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit but never higher.
