By Claire Latsko | Associate Editor
In the month and a half I have spent abroad in Oxford, I have encountered beautiful architecture, artwork, accents, and food. None of those things compare, though, to what I think is an amazing discovery and my new favorite drink in the entire world: mulled wine.
If you have never heard of mulled wine, then you are missing out on one of the most warm and 
wonderful drinks. Mulled wine, or “mullies” as my friends and I refer to them as, is red wine that is steeped with sugar and various spices and then topped with slices of orange. They are served hot in a clear mug. A mulled wine is the perfect drink to sip when you want not only your belly to be happy, but your heart too.
Studying in Europe has allowed me to frequent establishments that are usually only for people 21 and over. Going to the pub after class or on the weekends is what I look forward to, not only for the good company and conversations, but for the mulled wine. Ordering a hot glass is a reward I treat myself to for making it through my weekly classes, a particularly long lecture, or an essay.
Local Oxford culture thrives on interesting and intelligent banter, and most of the time these conversations take place in pubs around City Centre. The pubs most frequented by my little group of friends are those that sell mulled wine. Turf Tavern and The Eagle and Child are the two pubs that, in my opinion, make the best of the best when it comes to mullies. If I’m craving a hot drink, I usually end up at one of those two places.
A sort of frenzy has formed amongst my friends in Oxford when it comes to mulled wine. Instead of
saying, “Hey guys, want to go out for a drink tonight?” we usually say something along the lines of, “Mullies tonight? Who’s in?” We all know that most (if not all) of us will order a mulled wine, so it seems smarter to just advertise the fact that we are going out purely to get one (or a few!) of those.
My favorite pub in Oxford, The King’s Arms, unfortunately does not make mulled wine. I have found an alternative, though: mulled cider. A hot cup of that pleases me almost as much as a mulled wine. The King’s Arms has a mulled cider that is plum flavored, and I usually order one of those if The Eagle and Child has no open seats and if I’m in the mood for something warm. They also have a vanilla and cinnamon mulled cider that I have yet to try, but will soon!
I will be extremely sad when I return to the United States and cannot get mulled wine unless I slave over a pot on the stove and try to make some myself. The U.S. needs to start making mullies…please. The love I have formed for this drink is borderline ridiculous, but I think that everyone, wine lovers or not, needs to try one! If you ever find yourself in England mid-winter, then I highly recommend you take a sip or two of mulled wine. Trust me on this one.
