Mulled wine from Minas Gerais

Ingredients

• 2 cups (500 ml) cachaça (Brazilian sugarcane spirit)
• 1 ½ cups (375 ml) water
• ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
• 1 medium orange, sliced
• 1 medium lemon, sliced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 5 whole cloves

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Step-by-Step

1. Caramelize the Sugar

• In a medium saucepan, heat the sugar over medium-low heat, stirring until it melts and turns golden brown.

2. Infuse the Spices

• Add ginger, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to the caramelized sugar.
• Stir well and cook for 1 minute to release the aromas.

3. Add the Citrus and Water

• Add the orange and lemon slices, followed by water.
• Stir well and let it simmer for 10 minutes to extract all the flavors.

4. Add the Cachaça and Simmer

• Pour in the cachaça and stir.
• Let it simmer for 5 more minutes, but do not boil (to preserve the alcohol content).

5. Strain and Serve

• Strain the Quentão to remove the spices and fruit slices.
• Serve hot in small cups, garnished with cinnamon sticks or orange peels.

Quentão is a traditional Brazilian hot spiced drink, originally from Minas Gerais, widely enjoyed during Festa Junina and cold winter nights. This warming beverage combines cachaça, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and citrus, creating a rich and aromatic flavor.

The name Quentão literally means “very hot”, and this drink has deep cultural roots, often served in celebrations and family gatherings. In this article, you’ll learn how to make an authentic Quentão Mineiro, its history, health benefits, and variations.

Quentão Mineiro is a warm, spiced, and aromatic Brazilian drink that brings comfort and tradition to any occasion. Whether enjoyed during Festa Junina, cold winter nights, or festive gatherings, this authentic Quentão recipe will bring a taste of Minas Gerais to your home.

Try this traditional Brazilian hot drink and let us know how it turned out!