Chinese Medicine-Inspired, Warming Mulled Wine | 药膳暖体红酒

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Chinese Medicine-Inspired, Warming Mulled Wine

Yield: 8

Author: Zoey Gong

When the weather is cold and dry, drinking this mulled wine can warm our bodies, promote healthy blood circulation, and lift our mood. Saffron or safflower wine has a long history in TCM food therapy to treat blood stagnation. In TCM giant Zhang Zhong Jing’s (150-219AD) Jin Kui Yao Lue written in the East Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD), he mentions that safflower wine is the primary treatment for women experiencing stabbing abdominal pain and unspecified stagnation. While this recipe is great for postpartum care (replace the wine with grape, cranberry, or pomegranate juice), it is not suitable for pregnancy as it moves Blood very strongly.

Ingredients

• 1 (750ml) bottle dry red wine of choice (such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir, or Malbec)
• 2 cups cranberry juice or pomegranate juice
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 4 pieces of star anise
• 12 pieces jujube dates
• ⅓ cup goji berries
• Zest of 1 orange
• 4 slices of whole angelica root
• 1 teaspoon saffron
• 4 sprigs of thyme
• 2 sprigs of rosemary
• Dark brown sugar or honey, to taste (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large pot, add all ingredients except the sugar or honey. Place over medium-high heat and cook until it reaches a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes. Taste and add sugar or honey as needed.
2. Strain and pour the mulled wine into a serving container; discard the solids. Serve warm.

Function: 

• Warming
• Anti-aging
• Blood replenishing

Organ-Meridian: Stomach, Lung, Kidney, Liver, Spleen

Energetics: Warming

Stomach, Lung, Kidney, Liver, Spleen, Warming

beverage

Chinese