On cold winter evenings, many of us dream of a cup of aromatic warming drink. However, if on weekdays tea or coffee is preferred, then on weekends you can pamper yourself with an alcoholic "elixir" that helps calm your nerves and relax. These include punch and mulled wine, which are gaining increasing popularity in our country. Both drinks are prepared with the addition of alcohol-based spices and served hot. That is why our compatriots often confuse them with each other.
Definitions
Punch - cocktail, most often alcoholic, which is prepared with the addition of fruit or juice. It is consumed mainly hot. For the first time the drink appeared in India. From the Hindi language, the word "punch" is translated as "five". This is how many ingredients were included in the original recipe for the drink. It consisted of rum, sugar, hot water, tea and lemon juice. At the beginning of the 17th century, punch was brought to England by Indian sailors, after which it gradually spread throughout Europe. Over time, the recipe for the preparation of the drink has undergone significant changes. Today, in addition to rum, it also includes wine, and fruit juices are often used instead of tea. Various spices are also required ingredients. There are many ways to prepare both alcoholic and non-alcoholic punch. They are united by their presence in the composition of fruit juice or fruit pieces.
Mulled wine is a hot alcoholic drink made on the basis of warmed red wine with added sugar and spices. Widespread in Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland. There, the drink is traditionally consumed at Christmas markets and open-air winter celebrations. In some countries, mulled wine is also served on Halloween. The very name of the drink can be translated from German as "blazing wine". The idea of mixing raw materials with spices has its roots in ancient Rome. However, the wine was not heated at that time. This tradition originated during the Middle Ages in the countries of Central and Northern Europe. The drink was prepared on the basis of Bordeaux or other varieties of red wine with the addition of galangal herb.
Comparison
The main difference between drinks lies in the recipe for their preparation. So, in the case of punch, rum is taken as a basis. While the raw material for mulled wine is semi-sweet or semi-dry red wine. There are many variations on how to make punch. Some, in addition to rum, add wine to it, others pour hot water or tea into a cocktail, and still others replace alcohol with juice. The only thing that unites the various punches is the fruitiness. Either juice or pieces of fruits and berries are added to the drink, and ideally both. Compared to punch, mulled wine has a clearer recipe. If in the first drink cognac or whiskey can be used instead of rum, then the wine in the second is not replaced by anything. It is heated in a large container with added sugar and spices, sometimes honey, lemon peels and raisins are added to them. It should be noted that sometimes the warming "elixir" is made non-alcoholic with the use of grape juice, but this is rather rare.
Another difference between punch and mulled wine is the way the drinks are served and consumed. The first does not lose its flavor and aroma properties when cooled. That is, it is permissible to serve it not hot, but with pieces of ice. Often the cocktail is poured into a deep, sometimes heated container and displayed in the hall where guests gather. People go to the container themselves and fill their glasses with a ladle. At the same time, the drink can have a wide variety of colors, depending on the ingredients included in it. The shade ranges from light yellow to bright red. By the way, it is not customary to serve punch with food and eat something, because it already contains various fruits and berries. As for mulled wine, it is always consumed hot. The drink is served on the table only in portions in tall glasses or thick-walled mugs with a comfortable handle. Historically, it has a consistent ruby or garnet hue. Biscuits, crackers, biscuits or fruits are served as snacks for the drink.
To summarize, what is the difference between punch and mulled wine.
Punch | Mulled wine |
rum-based | The main ingredient is red wine |
There are many different variations of the drink | Prepared according to a standard recipe |
Often non-alcoholic | Almost always alcohol-containing |
Served both cold and hot | Drink warm |
Colors vary depending on the ingredients used | Has a garnet or ruby hue |
Doesn't require any snack | It goes well with dry biscuits, crackers, shortbread cookies, fruits |
Served in a deep container and poured by guests on their own using a scoop | Served exclusively in portions |