All things spiced and nice! What better way to ring in the festive season than with a warm, toasty glass of mulled wine? This sweet, herby traditional Christmas drink is a must at any holiday party. In the spirit of Christmas, scroll through our spots in Hong Kong to get your fix of mulled wine or stores to make your own at home.
Marks & Spencer — Multiple locations
‘Tis the season to be jolly at everyone’s beloved British retailer that’s stocked with Christmas favourites – mulled wine being one of them, obviously. Marks & Spencer sells already-made red mulled wine in a bottle that’s perfect when you need a quick pick-me-up. Alternatively, if you have a homemade recipe passed down generations, grab all the ingredients from the market to keep the Christmas traditions going.
Marks & Spencer, multiple locations in Hong Kong
Fortnum & Mason — Tsim Sha Tsui
If you fancy grabbing hot spiced wine overlooking Christmas lights, Fortnum & Mason is the place to do so. You’re sure to find this delectable concoction in their seasonal drink list. Their shop also sells mulled wine spices to make at home that are wrapped in aromatic tea-like bags (HK$63.91 for four bags) filled with cinnamon, orange peel, all-spice and cloves. Simply throw this mini bag into a brewing pot of red wine and voilà.
Fortnum & Mason, Shop 022, G/F, K11 Atelier, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui | +852 3916 8181
Club Rangoon — Central
Visit Burmese restaurant Club Rangoon for spiced sips of their Signature Mulled Wine all month long from 1 to 31 December, à la carte or with their Burmese free-flow brunch. Club Rangoon opened in 2021 and offers a cozy indoor area or outdoor area The Kiosk for enjoying sharing Burmese street-food inspired dishes.
33 Aberdeen St, Central | +852 2503 3077
Regency Spices — Tsuen Wan
For those whose Christmases are spent at home with loved ones gathered around the kitchen cooking up a feast, then a visit to Regency Spices is a must. Regency Spices has all the ingredients needed to make a nice pot of mulled wine. They also sell their very own jar of mulled wine spices (from HK$35 for 35g jar) that features the traditional ingredients on top of two rarities – mace and pink peppercorns – to create an exotic kick to the flavour. Shop online or in store.
Regency Spices, 8A Ming Wah Industrial Building, 17-33 Wang Lung St, Tsuen Wan | +852 3525 0060
IKEA — Multiple locations
While on a home décor run at IKEA or shopping for Christmas decorations, grab yourself a bottle of mulled wine, or as the Swedish say, “glögg,” along the way. IKEA’s version is called “Vintersaga,” (HK$69) which is a bottle of a non-alcoholic, mulled fruit drink that kids can enjoy, too! To spike things up for the adults, mix in a bit of brandy or vodka and as recommended, serve the drink hot with raisins and chopped almonds.
IKEA, multiple locations in Hong Kong
Taste Matters — Online
Being one of Hong Kong’s first quality online food and beverage shops, Taste Matters has got your Christmas holiday covered. It has a premium selection of goods to delight in, inclusive of a crowd favourite at one of Germany’s popular Christmas markets in Nuremburg – glühwein, which means “glow wine.” Best served heated, this hot wine features traditional elements of mulled wine on top of vanilla and citrus notes. Taste Matters also offers packets of mulled wine seasoning, in which you can steep into a bottle of wine to heat up.
Taste Matters, online store
The Grounds — Central
Starting from December 5, guests at The Grounds will receive complimentary mulled wine and mince pies made by Paolo De Venuto and Cary Docherty, who are Beverage Manager and Executive Chef from The Upper House’s Salisterra restaurant. Carols will also be sung before each movie to help moviegoers revel in the holiday mood. The Grounds screens different films every day, with tickets starting at HK$800 for four tickets.
The Grounds, 33 Man Kwong St, Central | +852 2339 0777
FAQ about mulled wine
What is the best wine to use for mulled wine?
The best wines to use for mulled wine are ones that are dark, fruity, and full-bodied. This way, they can withstand the spices added later in the heating process. Merlot, Zinfandel, and Garnacha are three wines normally used for their smooth flavours. Ones with vanilla notes and made with riper grapes are also great contenders.
What is the recipe for mulled wine?
To make good old hot spiced wine, grab a bottle of one of the recommended wines and combine it with a mix of orange, lemon, cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, or fennel seed, cloves, cardamom, and a dash of ginger. The spices can be boiled in sugar syrup before adding into the red wine. Ensure the wine is simmered on low heat as you don’t want the alcohol content to evaporate. The heating process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to three hours.
What is the history of mulled wine?
Mulled wine originated in the second century when the Romans would boil honey in wine during the winter months to warm the body. Overtime, mulled wine took on various forms across Europe to what we taste today and popularized especially during Christmas as it was a staple beverage at German Christmas markets.
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