Around the Christmas markets, the “mulled wine” stand often attracts families and friends looking for warmth and comfort. But while many passers-by claim “that the alcohol, once heated, has disappeared” (translation: we can have plenty of refills), what is it really? Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, enlightens us.
What does mulled wine contain?
A traditional drink at the end of the year, mulled wine is generally composed of wine – mostly red – and various spices (cinnamon, anise, cloves, etc.). To add a touch of freshness and acidity, orange and/or lemon slices are often added.
In terms of benefits, mulled wine is renowned for its stimulating and beneficial properties: it is readily attributed with anti-fatigue and anti-cold properties thanks to the antiseptic powers of its spices.
Its comforting appearance and captivating aromas therefore raise it to the rank of “ideal drink” on the Christmas markets. To the point of making one forget precisely… the presence of alcohol.
“No, alcohol doesn’t go away“, recalls Dr. Kierzek
Even though the alcohol tends to evaporate during cooking, there is still some left in your glass. Alcohol actually begins to evaporate from 78°C, but it never completely disappears.
“No, the alcohol in mulled wine does not “disappear” by heating it“insists Dr Gérald Kierzek. “Some of it evaporates, but there is always a significant amount left in the final drink, which therefore remains alcoholic!”
he warns.
And for good reason:
- Since ethanol begins to evaporate around 78°C, as soon as mulled wine is heated below a full boil, some of the alcohol remains;
- Then, if the mulled wine contains water, alcohol, sugars and aromas”this type of mixture boils releasing both water vapor and alcohol vapor, not “first all the alcohol then the water” as some people think.
; - Tests carried out show that after 30 minutes of cooking,
“there are still about three quarters of the initial alcohol remaining, and very long cooking times are necessary to reduce it further”, admits Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
“Ultimately, for a classic mulled wine (heated, sometimes simmering, but rarely boiled for a long time), we reduce the alcoholic degree, but we do not make it “alcohol-free”: the sensation of alcohol can be less marked because the drink is sweet, spicy and served hot, which masks the taste”, explains the emergency doctor.
You will therefore have understood: mulled wine remains an alcoholic drink that should be avoided by children, pregnant women, people who must drive or take certain medications. Moreover, for toddlers (0-3 years), all alcohol-based specialties, even cooked (crêpe flambée, beef bourguignon, etc.) should be avoided. Their digestive system and liver are still too immature to process alcoholic beverages.
“If the goal is to have a non-alcoholic drink, start with grape or apple juice and use the same spices (cinnamon, citrus fruits, cloves, etc.) rather than relying on the evaporation of the alcohol,” concludes the medical director of True Medical.