Both mulled wine and hot apple cider are absolutely divine on a cold winter night. They drive away the cold in the tastiest way. The microwave oven makes preparing these traditional winter drinks quick and easy. Here are my recipes for each one.
Ingredients for hot cider
32 ounces plain or plain apple cider or apple juice
12 whole cloves
2 cassia cinnamon sticks
1 3-inch piece of fresh ginger, about the thickness of your thumb
6 whole allspice berries
2 tablespoons whole mace (substitute 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg if you can’t find the mace)
1/2 cup good quality bourbon (skip the bourbon if you want kid-friendly spiced apple cider)
Addresses
Cut the ginger into slices, with the rind still. Gently squash the allspice berries, just enough to break up the outer shell. You can do this with a mortar or the bottom of a heavy skillet.
Pour the apple cider into a large microwave-safe container. Add the sliced ginger, crushed allspice berries, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and mace. Microwave the mixture on 50% power until hot, but not simmering. This should take 2-3 minutes, depending on the power of your microwave oven. Stir well to distribute the flavors. You can add the bourbon and then strain and serve the apple cider at this point, but there is a way to extract more flavor if you have a little time to spare. You can let the cider sit for 30 minutes. Then reheat before adding the bourbon and straining.
Ingredients for mulled wine
1 750ml bottle of dry red wine (I like to use Merlot or Shiraz)
1 orange
1 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, about the thickness of your thumb
12 whole cloves
2 cassia cinnamon sticks
2 tablespoons whole mace (or substitute 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg if you don’t have mace)
1/4 cup honey (I think orange blossom honey is best in this recipe, but any honey will do)
Addresses
Cut the orange and the ginger, leaving the skin on both. Those skins have a lot of essential oils and flavors that you want to take advantage of.
Place all ingredients in a microwave safe container. Red wine can stain plastic, especially once heated. Keep this in mind when choosing your container.
Microwave on 50% power until hot, but not boiling. This should take 2-3 minutes, depending on the power of your microwave oven. Stir to combine all the flavors. Like cider, you can strain and serve immediately, or you can let the wine and spices sit for 30 minutes before reheating and straining.
Any leftover mulled wine or cider should be refrigerated.
The best microwave oven for making mulled cider or mulled wine
Ideally, you want a microwave oven with inverter technology, since these are the only ones capable of reaching a true 50% power. Most microwave ovens set to 50% power simply toggle between 100% power and 0% power. Models with inverter technology actually reduce the power output to the set level. This provides much more even cooking and fewer hot spots. You can use a regular microwave for these recipes, but be more careful with hot drinks as they will be more prone to overheated stains. Visit Microwave Oven Reviews to find the best microwave for making mulled cider or mulled wine and much more. You’ll also find more great free microwave recipes to help you get the most out of your microwave.