Episode 139
Dobar Dan!
Its our 5th Holiday Lesson and we have a list of Holiday Songs and Artists for you to learn.
Uncle Mike pulled in a few artists to follow as well as song titles to add to your Holiday play list.
Lesson
Jingle Bells - Zvončići
Silent Night - Tiha noć
Merry Christmas to All - Sretan Božić svakome - Fantomi
White Christmas - Bijeli Božić - Oliver Dragojević
Christmas is coming! - Božić dolazi
Srebrna Krila - Silver Wings
Crvena Jabuka - Red Apple
Daleko Obala - far distant shore
Prljavo Kažalište - Dirty Theater
Super Slatko Report
The Super Slatko Report is all about getting you that warm and cozy feeling with a festive holiday drink. DJ MOE is talking Kuhano Vino or mulled wine, warm wine with spices to get you those holiday aromas throughout your kitchen.
In Croatia, kuhano vino is more than just warm, spiced wine. It’s a tradition that fills bustling Christmas markets, cozy living rooms, and chilly cobblestone streets with the aroma of the holidays. Khano Vino, Croatian mulled wine, is a staple that deserves a seat at your holiday table if it hasnt made an appearance already. So, let’s dive into this aromatic concoction, exploring its origins, ingredients, regional differences, recipes, and how it’s evolved into the drink we love today.
Mulled wine has a history, its roots can be traced back to the Romans. As the Roman Empire stretched into the Balkans, so did their recipes, paving the way for Croatias kuhano vino. Over centuries, Croatia added its own regional flair to this Roman invention, blending it with Slavic traditions and Mediterranean influences. Today, it’s more than just a drink; it’s an experience, that not only takes you back in time but also delivers the warm and fuzzies. Consider this as just one more amazing Roman contribution that we still use everyday, like Sanitation, roads, the Julian calendar, the postal service, and aqueducts. Thanks Roman Empire, you’re neato.
So how does one make Kuhano Vino/ Mulled Wine? Well it all starts with ingredients. Croatian mulled wine is built on a simple but magical foundation. You’ll need red wine, preferably a robust local variety like Plavac Mali, which has the boldness to stand up to the spices. Then you add in; sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and a bit of orange peel. Some recipes sneak in a splash of rakija (a potent fruit brandy) for an extra kick. Unlike some Western recipes that focus on the sweetness, the Croatian approach is balanced, letting the wine’s natural flavor shine through while the spices gently nudge you into holiday aromas.
There are many different versions out there that people prefer. Generally speaking, regionally, in Dalmatia, they might swap out some of the spices for local herbs, adding a coastal flair to the mix. Inland, in Zagreb, the recipe tends to stick closer to the classic Roman roots, with a focus on warming spices and robust reds. At the Christmas markets in Zagreb (frequently voted among the best in Europe), you’ll find kuhano vino served in ceramic mugs, often alongside gingerbread cookies. And in Istria, wine lovers might experiment with white wine, creating a lighter, citrus-forward twist on the classic.
Making Croatian mulled wine at home is wonderfully easy and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell amazing. Start with a bottle of red wine, pour it into a pot, and heat gently—don’t boil it unless you want to burn off the alcohol/disappoint your guests. Add 3-4 tablespoons of sugar, a few cinnamon sticks, 5-6 cloves, one star anise, and the zest of one orange. Stir and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. For the bold and daring, adding a shot of rakija can be added just before serving for the extra kick and dramatic effect. Strain into mugs, and there you have it — you just made kuhano vino, you’re a champion, I knew you could do it!
Before moving on, in case you want to go into more recipes, we recommend checking out the content from friend of the show, Andrea Pisac. She has an excellent article on Mulled Wind that you can read, as well as a recipes with amazing instructions to follow, she’s the best! Click on the link below to get to the article on her site.
Fast forward to todays take on kuhano vino and you might see something different. At Zagreb’s Advent markets, you’ll find variations featuring exotic spices like cardamom or add-ons like vanilla and honey. In some stalls you can even be served mulled wine cocktails—imagine a mulled wine spritzer with sparkling water or a dollop of whipped cream on top. If you search Instagram you can find Kuhano Vino served in reusable eco-mugs, with vegan sugar options to reflect how Croatia’s classic drink is keeping up with the times.
When you are planning you holiday festivities and are looking for that one special something to really bring home those holiday vibes, do as the Romans do and brew up some Kuhano Vino. It will keep you warm and cozy from the inside out.
And that’s if for the Super Slatko Report.
