Vin chaud is the French hot wine you drink at the Christmas markets of Alsace and in the ski resorts of the Alps. It’s similar to glühwein, but softer and less sweet: instead of sugar you use honey, and the orange plays the leading role. With cinnamon, star anise and a touch of vanilla you get a rounded, warm flavour in which the wine comes into its own. A splash of cognac makes it extra French.
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Vin chaud
French vin chaud with red wine, honey, orange, cinnamon and star anise. Less sweet and gentler than glühwein.
Beverage
French
6 glasses
25 min
25 min
Juice one orange and slice the other.
Put the red wine, the orange juice, the honey and the orange slices into a pan.
Add the cinnamon, star anise, cloves and the vanilla pod.
Warm over low heat until it steams and let steep for 15 minutes. Do not boil.
Stir in the cognac if using and taste. Add more honey if needed.
Strain into heatproof glasses and garnish with an orange slice.
Christmas Winter Drink Warm French Vegetarian Easy
750 ml red wine (1 bottle) 4 tbsp honey 2 unsprayed oranges 2 cinnamon sticks 2 star anise 4 cloves 0.5 vanilla pod, split open 50 ml cognac (optional)
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Recipe
Vin chaud
French vin chaud with red wine, honey, orange, cinnamon and star anise. Less sweet and gentler than glühwein.
Course
Beverage
Kitchen
French
Servings
6 glasses
Preparation time
Preparation time
25 min
Total
25 min
Equipment
Cooking Pot
Citrus juicer
Sieve
Heatproof glasses
Ingredients
750 ml red wine (1 bottle)
4 tbsp honey
2 unsprayed oranges
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
4 cloves
0.5 vanilla pod, split open
50 ml cognac (optional)
Prepare
Juice one orange and slice the other.
Put the red wine, the orange juice, the honey and the orange slices into a pan.
Add the cinnamon, star anise, cloves and the vanilla pod.
Warm over low heat until it steams and let steep for 15 minutes. Do not boil.
Stir in the cognac if using and taste. Add more honey if needed.
Strain into heatproof glasses and garnish with an orange slice.
Which wine should you use? In France vin chaud is made with a simple, fruity local red wine, such as a Côtes du Rhône, a Gamay from the Beaujolais or a red from the Languedoc. Choose a wine without heavy tannins or oak notes, because those turn bitter when heated. A mild honey, like acacia honey, lets the wine’s flavour come through best. Chestnut honey gives a stronger, slightly bitter touch.
Vin chaud, glühwein or bisschopswijn? They resemble each other, but every country has its own version. Vin chaud is gentle and focuses on honey and orange. German glühwein is sweeter and spicier. Dutch bisschopswijn has a bittersweet tone from the peels and mace. Serve vin chaud with a piece of pain d'épices, French spice cake, or a cheese board. For an alcohol-free version make it with red grape juice and a splash of lemon juice.