Christmas

Mulled White Wine with Pear Brandy (Hot Toddy)

by:
December 29, 2010
4.4
5 Ratings
Mulled White Wine with Pear Brandy (Hot Toddy)
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

I'm a lightweight when it comes to booze, and I'll be the first to admit that my interpretation of a "hot toddy" is a little loose. My husband loves Glühwein (German/Austrian mulled wine), but he prefers drinking white wine to red, so for this contest I decided to experiment with a white mulled wine, amped up with pear brandy. I infused the wine with cardamom and star anise, which I thought would go nicely with the white wine, as well as the more traditional triumvirate of cinnamon, ginger and cloves. To amplify the pear flavor, I added a slice of Asian pear to each drink as a garnish -- the pear softens slightly as it absorbs the warm booze and makes for a yummy treat once you've sipped the last of the wine. - Merrill —Merrill Stubbs

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 750 ml bottle dry or off-dry white wine (preferably Riesling or Grüner Veltliner)
  • 1 piece star anise
  • 2 1/4-inch slices fresh ginger
  • 3 green cardamom pods
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons honey, or to taste
  • 1/4 cup pear brandy (Poire William)
  • 1 Asian pear
Directions
  1. Put the wine in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan with the star anise, ginger, cardamom, cloves and honey (start with 3 tablespoons and adjust later if necessary). Set the pan over medium heat and bring just to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and let the wine mull for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
  2. Taste the wine and add more honey if you’d like. Gently reheat the wine until it starts to steam, then turn off the heat and stir in the brandy. Divide among 4 mugs or heatproof glasses, putting a few of the spices in each glass if you’d like, and add a slice of Asian pear. Toddy away!
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  • AntoniaJames
    AntoniaJames
  • onetribegourmet
    onetribegourmet
  • gingerroot
    gingerroot
  • TheWimpyVegetarian
    TheWimpyVegetarian
  • Merrill Stubbs
    Merrill Stubbs

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34 Reviews

BellaRasa
BellaRasa November 18, 2017
I never thought of using a white wine to make mulled wine, but this recipe, especially with the ginger and pear brandy, is scrumptious!
 
AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames November 9, 2012
Serving this on T-Day when we return from our hike! Will make it that morning so all we have to do is warm it up. Oh heck! What am I thinking??! I'm bringing this in a thermos to sip when we reach the top of Mt. Tamalpais. Cannot think of anything more pleasant than enjoying the expansive views of the Pacific, the Golden Gate, San Francisco and Stinson Beach with this in hand. Perhaps with some of that ginger molasses pumpkin bread for nibbling . . . We do know how to live, now, don't we.. ;o)
 
dianarose
dianarose December 31, 2011
This was a huge hit for my boyfriend's birthday! I added a tiny bit more ginger and more than a tiny bit more booze :-)
 
Merrill S.
Merrill S. December 31, 2011
Happy birthday to him! Glad you enjoyed it.
 
Jain S.
Jain S. December 26, 2011
Made this last night and loved how pretty it is with the star anise floating in the drink! Have to confess that I doubled the amount of brandy :) Thought the riesling would be too sweet but it was the perfect choice. Definately going into my rotation as this is versatile enough to be made into a sangria (a nod to the Florida "winter") as well.
 
Merrill S.
Merrill S. December 26, 2011
Glad you liked it, and great adjustment! ;)
 
AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames November 25, 2011
Such a fun, tasty drink! We enjoyed it with Fig and Blue Cheese Savouries this afternoon. ;o)

 
onetribegourmet
onetribegourmet January 5, 2011
Congrats Merrill! Lovely drink for these cold & frigid days ahead!
 
gingerroot
gingerroot January 5, 2011
Cheers, Merrill! Over the holidays I discovered a lovely bottle of Riesling in the depths of my wine fridge - looking forward to trying this with it!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian
TheWimpyVegetarian January 5, 2011
Bought some pear brandy today! I have an event tomorrow, but am looking forward to making this afterwards when I can kick back and put my feet up :-). I too am a lightweight when it comes to anything outside wine and beer, so this is perfect for me.
 
Merrill S.
Merrill S. January 5, 2011
Thanks, guys, for your great comments and your support! I couldn't have done it without you.
 
BubbaQ
BubbaQ January 5, 2011
I'm wondering if you could do double-duty with this and poach some whole pears in it for dessert... or would that cook off too much of the alcohol?
 
Merrill S.
Merrill S. January 5, 2011
Hmm. The only thing is that it doesn't have much sugar in it, and usually poaching liquid for pears is pretty heavy on the sugar.
 
hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour January 5, 2011
This drink is delicious! I'm somewhat ashamed to say my husband and I polished off an entire batch. Cheers!
 
betteirene
betteirene January 4, 2011
I couldn't make this before the voting deadline. Here in WA, there are no private liquor stores; the are all "owned" by the state. The liquor store in the town I live in is, I am not joking, 20'x20' so only the most popular brands and types of liquor are sold here. I didn't give myself enough time to special order it, so my local store won't have it until Friday. Or I could make an hour-and-a-half round trip to a liquor store in Seattle. I'm so bummed.
 
Merrill S.
Merrill S. January 5, 2011
There's always time for a hot toddy!
 
sabina
sabina January 2, 2011
We had this on NYE and it was perfect. Thanks for the great recipe Merrill.
 
ChefJune
ChefJune January 1, 2011
could you use a pear other than Asian? and if so, what would that be?
 
Merrill S.
Merrill S. January 5, 2011
Any firm-ish pear would do nicely. I think a Bartlett would work particularly well.
 
Midge
Midge January 1, 2011
This is my kind of toddy, Merrill. Love the Asian pear addition.
 
sabina
sabina December 31, 2010
oooh, I have a bottle of asian poire wiliam that needs an inaugural pour. this looks great.
 
Sasha (.
Sasha (. December 31, 2010
Cheers! Looks wonderful :)
 
pauljoseph
pauljoseph December 30, 2010
Yes look fabulous
 
gingerroot
gingerroot December 30, 2010
Mmm...love the flavors here, sounds really delicious. Thanks for a lovely recipe.
 
Merrill S.
Merrill S. December 30, 2010
Thanks, everyone, for your lovely comments. Cheers to a great 2011!