A luxurious Après-Ski drink
When Le Chef was beginning his culinary career in France he used to work all summer long on his native French Riviera, an iconic tourist destination for the wealthy. In the winter, when the jet set flocked to chic ski resorts, Le Chef was employed in the epicenter of the French Ski scene, the town of Courchevel. Working at the Michelin starred restaurant, Le Kintessence at Le K2 Palace, taught my husband all about refined French Alpine cooking… and drinking! Arguably the birthplace of the Après-Ski , Courchevel has a thriving social scene. They take their Après-Ski very seriously and like to add a touch of luxury whenever possible – like with the addition of Grand Marnier to their Vin Chaud recipe.
Vin Chaud, also known as Mulled Wine, is a classic Après-Ski drink. This winter Le Chef taught me how to make his recipe that he learned while working in Courchevel and I don’t think I will ever go back to regular mulled wine again!
Ingredients for Le Chef’s Vin Chaud au Grand Marnier Recipe
- 1 bottle Red Wine (no need for an expensive bottle – go with something fruity)
- 1/4 cup Grand Marnier
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 1 whole star anis
- 3 orange peels (equivalent of about 1/2 of an orange skin)
- 4 tablespoons of Brown Sugar (the cheaper your wine the more sugar you will want to add)
Instructions:
Pour the entire bottle of wine into a sauce pan. Add the spices and orange peel and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Lower the heat to medium low and let simmer (very lightly) for 10 minutes. At this point your home will smell absolutely delicious!
Bring the heat down to low and add in the brown sugar. Gently stir until dissolved. Turn off the heat.
With a slotted spoon, remove the spices and orange peel and discard.
Add the Grand Marnier. Gently whisk for 30 seconds then let rest on the stove without heat for 5 minutes.
Serve into tempered glasses (like my favorite Duralex tumblers) or mugs. Enjoy immediately!
Have you tried this Vin chaud au Grand Marnier recipe? Let me know! I would love to hear from you.
Au plaisir,
Le Chef’s Wife
Vin Chaud au Grand Marnier Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Description
Vin Chaud, also known as Mulled Wine, is a classic Après-Ski drink. This winter Le Chef taught me how to make his recipe that he learned while working in Courchevel and I don’t think I will ever go back to regular mulled wine again!
Ingredients
- 1 bottle Red Wine (no need for an expensive bottle – go with something fruity)
- 1/4 cup Grand Marnier
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 1 whole star anis
- 3 orange peels (equivalent of about 1/2 of an orange skin)
- 4 tablespoons of Brown Sugar (the cheaper your wine the more sugar you will want to add)
Instructions
Pour the entire bottle of wine into a sauce pan. Add the spices and orange peel and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Lower the heat to medium low and let simmer (very lightly) for 10 minutes. At this point your home will smell absolutely delicious!
Bring the heat down to low and add in the brown sugar. Gently stir until dissolved. Turn off the heat.
With a slotted spoon, remove the spices and orange peel and discard.
Add the Grand Marnier. Gently whisk for 30 seconds then let rest on the stove without heat for 5 minutes.
Serve into tempered glasses (like my favorite Duralex tumblers) or mugs. Enjoy immediately!
Carryn McLean says
I love mulled wine. However as Christmas here in Australia us too hot for mulled wine, we have it on a winter’s night. My birthday is in June, our winter, we is a treat I enjoy. I must try it with Grand Marnier.
lechefswife says
Bonjour Carryn, thank you for your comment! I highly suggest adding Grand Marnier to mulled wine – it is so decadently delicious. Right now would be a perfect season for you to be making Les Petits Farcis and Salade Niçoise! Bon Appétit!