The Paris Traveler

I love Paris in the Fall, actually the song April in Paris would have been Autumn in Paris if I had written the lyrics. Most years there’s a period during late September – early October when the leaves are turning and the weather is warm and mild like an Indian summer and the world just seems right as you stroll through the gardens of this fabulous city.

I know my readers come from all over and as the weather begins to turn cooler in some parts of the world; it’s turning warmer in others areas, but I thought it would be nice to share with all of you a recipe for one of my favorite drinks when the weather starts to cool down in the evenings.

What would be more appropriate for a French blog than a Vin Chaud (Hot Wine)?! What I like about this recipe is it’s very basic, so you can use your imagination to add on or take away whatever suits your taste! For example you can add cognac and flambé it, or cassis which is very popular, or add more fruit and take away the sugar or substitute it with honey instead. Anything goes, so be creative! Remember that cooking time is longer when liqueurs are added.

VIN CHAUD

Ingrediants:

1 bottle of red wine (750 ml) (some like dry, others prefer a fruity red wine)
1/2 cup of raw brown sugar (100 g) (more or less to your taste)
1 stick of cinnamon (or 1 tsp. of ground cinnamon)
1 tsp. of nutmeg
Whole clove
Zest of a lemon or an orange (some like both)
1 lemon 
Sticks of cinnamon

Preparations: 

Heat the wine, sugar and spices in a pot over a medium/low flame. Stir occasionally until it simmers (do not boil) and a foam forms. Add the zest but not too much or else it gets a bitter taste. Pour the wine into glasses while hot (or depending on preference, through a strainer). Serve with a slice of lemon in each glass or a stick of cinnamon.

That’s it! Cheers! Cin Cin! Salud!…. Etc.!

Photo Credits: Flickr

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