Quick Read
- Air fryer experiments show mulled wine is a kitchen disaster—don’t try it.
- Plumbers warn against pouring mulled wine down the sink due to sticky residue and pipe blockages.
- Some people experience ‘Asian flush’ after drinking mulled wine, a genetic reaction with possible health implications.
As the festive season rolls in, mulled wine returns to center stage—a time-honored drink that evokes warmth, spice, and togetherness. But beneath its comforting surface, the humble mulled wine is at the heart of surprising new stories about kitchen experiments, household risks, and even genetic quirks.
Why Mulled Wine and Air Fryers Don’t Mix
In the age of viral kitchen gadgets, air fryers have taken over countertops and social feeds alike. Their promise? To make holiday cooking quicker, easier, and—sometimes—more delicious. So when TechRadar’s journalist Andrew decided to put nine British Christmas classics to the air fryer test, mulled wine was, perhaps, the most audacious experiment of all.
Traditionally, mulled wine is gently heated in a saucepan, infused with spices like cinnamon and cloves, and perhaps a twist of orange peel. The result: a fragrant, warming beverage that’s as much a tradition as it is a treat. But how does it fare in the aggressive heat and turbulence of an air fryer?
The answer, according to Andrew’s taste-test, is a resounding disaster. Instead of a cozy cup of spiced wine, the air fryer produced chaos—wine splattering, spice bags flung about, and a quarter of the liquid mysteriously vanishing onto the bottom of the machine. The intense fan and confined space turned a simple recipe into a clean-up nightmare, earning mulled wine a zero out of ten for air fryer compatibility. For those tempted to try, heed the warning: not only does the process ruin the drink, but it might also leave your kitchen messier than before (TechRadar).
The Plumbing Warning: Don’t Pour Mulled Wine Down the Sink
Holiday gatherings often mean leftover drinks—and for many, the easy solution is to pour them down the sink. But this common habit is more dangerous than most realize, especially when it comes to festive beverages like mulled wine and Baileys.
According to plumbing expert Mike Flook, pouring drinks containing fats, oils, or greases (FOGs) down the drain can lead to blocked pipes and even contribute to the notorious ‘fatbergs’ lurking in sewers (WalesOnline). But mulled wine, in particular, presents a unique problem: its spiced content can create a sticky residue inside pipes, increasing the risk of clogs and potential plumbing disasters—especially over the holidays, when kitchen sinks are working overtime.
Kitchen specialist Liv Reid adds that spiced drinks are especially problematic, as they tend to leave behind stubborn deposits. The advice? If you accidentally pour mulled wine down the sink, run hot water for several minutes. Avoid chemicals—sometimes a simple plunger is more effective than harsh cleaners.
It’s a small, practical tip that could save your household from a Christmas Day crisis. And with blocked pipes, the last thing anyone wants is to trade holiday cheer for an emergency call to the plumber.
Health Effects: The Surprising Genetics of Drinking Mulled Wine
For some, mulled wine brings more than just festive cheer—it brings on the “Asian flush,” a condition where the face turns red and hot after drinking alcohol. This reaction, affecting an estimated half a billion people worldwide, is due to a genetic inability to break down aldehyde toxins in the body (NPR).
While the flush can be uncomfortable and even embarrassing at holiday parties, recent research suggests there might be hidden benefits. Some studies propose that the genetic trait responsible for the flush could help fight certain infections, like tuberculosis, though the science is still evolving.
It’s a reminder that the experience of enjoying mulled wine is not universal. For some, a single glass is enough to trigger a visible, physiological reaction—a small but telling example of how traditions intersect with biology in unpredictable ways.
Mulled Wine: More Than Just a Drink
What’s clear from these stories is that mulled wine is more than just a seasonal beverage. It’s a symbol of tradition, a catalyst for kitchen experimentation, and a source of unexpected household risks. Whether you’re heating it up the classic way, contemplating a new gadget, or simply cleaning up after a party, mulled wine demands respect—not only for its flavor, but for the ripple effects it can have in our homes and bodies.
- Don’t try to make mulled wine in an air fryer—the results are unpredictable and likely to disappoint.
- Never pour leftover mulled wine down the sink; it can cause sticky, stubborn clogs in household pipes.
- For some drinkers, the classic festive glass brings on the “Asian flush”—a genetic reaction with surprising potential upsides.
As traditions evolve and technology reshapes our kitchens, even the simplest pleasures can reveal complex stories. Mulled wine, with its rich history and modern challenges, reminds us that every holiday ritual is shaped by the choices we make—from the gadgets we use to the way we care for our homes and ourselves.