Mulled wine and mince pies are firm favourites in my household at Christmas time. Northing beats a warming glass of mulled wine in front of a roaring fire on a cold winter’s evening. Not only is this a delicious drink, its ingredients may also provide protection from acute and chronic disease [1].

A number of spices are combined to produce the sweet, festive flavour. These spices possess antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering actions [1] . Here are just three of these flavourful spices.

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) come from a tropical evergreen tree native to the Maluku islands of Indonesia. Growing up to 12 metres in height, this tree belonging to the Myrtaceae family which also includes the Eucalpytus tree. The cloves are actually the flower buds which are harvested when their colour turns from green to pinkish red. Rich in phytochemicals, cloves are particularly well-known for their antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral and antiparasitic properties [2] .

Another tropical evergreen tree which provides us with a popular spice is the cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp.) tree. This time it’s the bark that is harvested, dried and then sold in quill (stick) or powder form. One of the most interesting recent discoveries is that cinnamon may decrease blood glucose levels and improve insulin resistance [1].

Myristica fragans, better known as Nutmeg, is another tropical evergreen tree native to the Maluku islands of Indonesia. The fruit is picked in the summertime. Once the outer layer is removed, the mace and seed (the nutmeg) are separated and left to dry. It has a stimulating effect and some studies have shown it to reverse memory and learning impairment [3]. However myristicin, a component of nutmeg, can be toxic in high doses [3].

Now that we’ve seen the three spices, let’s look at the recipe:

1 litre red wine (ex. Merlot, Beaujolais, Grenache) or, for the non-alcoholic version, 1 litre Cranberry juice or red grape juice (or a mix of both!)

2 Cinnamon sticks

4 cloves

1 teaspoons of grated nutmeg

2 star anise

2 bay leaves (optional)

1 lemon

2 oranges

100g honey or sugar (optional)

For optional garnish :

Orange slices

Blackberries

1. Place all the ingredients into a saucepan and place on a medium heat with the lid on.

2. Gently bring to a low simmer.

3. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring from time to time. Do not boil. Alternatively, you can place the ingredients into a slow cooker and leave on a low heat for 2-3 hours.

4. Serve warm. If desired, garnish with orange slices or blackberries.

Cheers! Or as they say here in France, "Santé" (meaning good health) !

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[1] T Alan Jiang, Health Benefits of Culinary Herbs and Spices, Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Volume 102, Issue 2, 1 March 2019, Pages 395–411

[2] Batiha GE, Alkazmi LM, Wasef LG, Beshbishy AM, Nadwa EH, Rashwan EK. Syzygium aromaticum L. (Myrtaceae): Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities. Biomolecules. 2020 Jan 30;10(2):202.

[3] Asgarpanah, Jinous & N, Kazemivash. (2012). Phytochemistry and pharmacologic properties of Myristica fragrans Hoyutt.: A review. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY. 11. 10.5897/AJB12.1043.