Lean Libation: Ina's Mulled Wine

From Halloween night until sometime in February, mulled wine is a favorite of wine. This warm libation is perfect for chilly fall and winter nights. Just this past Halloween, I filled a crock pot with this yummy stuff and had coffee to-go cups for my friends to help fight the cold as we took our kids from house to house. It was definitely a great "treat" that night!

Hubby laughed at how Mott's for Tots is in an adult beverage. That is kinda funny!

For inspiration, I used Ina Garten's recipe for mulled wine. I picked up a few tips for sweetening over the years from visiting various vineyards around my area. Those tips, along with a "lean perspective", created this version of mulled wine that every adult in the family is sure to enjoy. Cheers!

MULLED WINE
Serves 8

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups Mott's for Tots Apple Juice
• 1 (750-ml) bottle red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon
• 3 spice bags of OLD TRADITION SPICES (All natural spices; no sugar & no preservatives)
• Orange Peels; for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Combine the Mott's for Tots, wine, and spice bags in a large saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Pour into mugs, add an orange peel to each and serve.

RESULTS

I've had this adult beverage "the real" way with all the sugar and stuff. Not only does this save on calories and carbs, but it actually has a better taste to it (if you like the taste of wine). In my opinion, the sugar can be overwhelming. The light characteristic of Mott's for Tots Apple Juice provides a hint of sweet and allows the true flavors of the wine and the spices to pull through. A simple switch saves around 60 calories per glass! That is something to celebrate.

CHEERS!

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

BEFORE: 167.6 calories / .14g fat / 25.6g carbohydrate / .17g protein / .15g fiber
AFTER: 107.1 calories / 0g fat / 10.4g carbohydrate / .06g protein / 0g fiber
SAVES: 60.5 calories and 15.2g carbohydrate

*PRINT~FRIENDLY*