Mulled Wine
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This mulled wine recipe is warm, spiced, and full of cozy flavor. It’s made with red wine, citrus, and aromatic spices for the perfect holiday drink that’s easy to make on the stove or in your slow cooker.
There’s nothing like sipping a cup of mulled wine on a chilly night. It fills the kitchen with the best warm, spiced aroma and feels like the holidays in a mug. I love how simple it is to make from scratch without any store-bought syrup. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings or slow winter evenings at home.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Mulled Wine Recipe
- So cozy: One sip and you’ll feel like you’re wrapped in a blanket by the fire. It’s the ultimate winter drink that instantly warms you up.
- Smells amazing: The scent that fills your kitchen while this simmers is unreal. It’s reason enough to make a batch even before guests arrive.
- Perfect for gatherings: It’s easy to double or triple for parties, and your guests will be so impressed you made it from scratch.
Ingredients Needed
- dry red wine – I like using Zinfandel, but Merlot, Grenache, or Cabernet Sauvignon also work great. Choose one you’d enjoy drinking on its own for the best flavor.
- brandy – not required, but it adds depth and warmth. You can swap it for whiskey or bourbon if that’s what you have on hand.
- orange – sliced into rounds, plus more for garnish.
- spices – Whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise give this wine that classic holiday aroma. Pro tip: skip the pricey jars and grab what you need from the bulk spice section to save a few dollars.
- sweetener – I recommend maple syrup or honey but any natural sweetener would work. You could also use apple cider in place of the sweetener if you prefer. Just make sure you look for a brand that doesn’t have added sugars!
- garnishes – totally optional, but I like adding an orange slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise to each glass. A few fresh cranberries make it extra festive.
How to Make Mulled Wine
If you’ve never made mulled wine before, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is. This mulled wine recipe comes together in minutes and fills your kitchen with the most comforting holiday aroma.
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan over medium heat and stir to combine.
Step 2: Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for at least 15 minutes so the flavors can infuse.
Note: You can also make this recipe in a slow cooker. See the recipe card below for those instructions.
Brittany’s Tip
Keep the heat gentle! If the wine starts to boil, the alcohol will cook off and the flavor won’t be the same. A slow simmer is all you need for the perfect cozy balance of warmth and spice.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover mulled wine in the refrigerator for up to one week. The flavor will deepen as it sits, so the spices may taste a little stronger the next day. To reheat, warm it gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat or in your slow cooker on the “warm” setting. If you are short on time, the microwave works too. Heat it in short intervals until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not completely. Warming the wine gently will cause a small amount of alcohol to evaporate, but most of it stays in the drink as long as you keep it at a low simmer and don’t let it boil. A gentle heat is key for keeping both the flavor and the alcohol intact.
Yes! You can enjoy this warm or cold. I like the comfort of a mug of warm wine but if you prefer it chilled, have at it!
I recommend a dry red wine like Zinfandel, Merlot, Grenache, or Cabernet Sauvignon. You don’t need to splurge on an expensive bottle since you’ll be adding spices and citrus. Even a budget-friendly option like Trader Joe’s Three Buck Chuck works beautifully.
Mulled wine also known as “spiced wine” is a traditional warm alcoholic drink enjoyed during the winter, especially around Christmas. It’s typically made by simmering red wine with a variety of mulling spices like cinnamon, star anise and cloves. Citrus (like oranges) and a dark liquor are also both popular ingredient additions.
More Cocktails to Try
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Mulled Wine
Ingredients
- 1 750 ml bottle dry red wine, (I used a Zinfandel, but Merlot, Grenache, Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon are all great options)
- ¼ cup brandy
- 1 large orange, sliced into rounds, plus more for garnish
- 8 whole cloves
- 3 whole cinnamon sticks
- 3 whole star anise
- 1-2 Tablespoons maple syrup or honey, or your desired sweetener, plus more to taste
- optional garnishes: orange slices, extra cinnamon sticks, extra star anise
Instructions
Stove Top
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients. Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for at least 15 minutes. Don’t let the mixture come to a boil — you don’t want to boil off the alcohol. The longer it sits the spicier it will get.
- Pour wine in a heat proof mug, serve warm and garnish with more orange slices, cinnamon sticks and extra star anise, if desired.
Slow Cooker
- Combine all of the ingredients in your slow cooker, cover, and cook on low until the wine is steaming hot (about 1 hour). Once the wine is warm, reduce heat to warm or the lowest possible setting so it doesn’t get too spicy.
- Pour wine in a heat proof mug, serve warm and garnish with more orange slices, cinnamon sticks and extra star anise, if desired.
Notes
- Brandy: Not necessary but most mulled wine recipes do include brandy! You can sub for whiskey or bourbon as well.
- Storage: Keep leftover mulled wine in the fridge for up to one week. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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