If you're looking for a great recipe for mulled wine, check out this recipe. A red wine mulled with oranges, clementines, cinnamon, and nutmeg—it’s a rich and flavorful cozy drink and a perfect cocktail for winter holiday parties.
Table of Content
What is mulled wine?
Mulled wine or hot wine has a few names around the world. For example, in Germany it is called gluhwein or glow-wine. A few other names are: vino caliente, glögg, vin brulé, bisschopswijn, vin chaud, candola, vinho quent, glühwein, and a few more.
I believe it was created by the Romans who heated wine to warm their bodies during the cold winter. As the Romans conquered most of Europe they also spread the love for mulled wine everywhere they went. Europeans added herbs, spices, and sweeteners to the heated wine to promote good health and avoid sickness in winter.
Why make this recipe
- This is the easiest flavored wine you can make. I know I said that already but it really is.
- Also, it is a very versatile recipe because almost all the ingredients can be substituted or omitted to suit your personal preference.
- The spices, when combined together, create a wonderful aroma. The home smells heavenly just like making a natural deodorizer. In fact, I like making spiced wine after a busy kitchen day, so all the smell of food is gone and the only scent left is that of my aromatic wine.
- I like to let this wine simmer on the stovetop for a while. And yet, you can let it simmer for as little as 10 minutes or up to 3 hours. Just don't boil it or you will evaporate all the alcohol.
- Today, I am making this on the stove in a large saucepan but you can also make a batch in the slow cooker. Just add all the ingredients to a slow cooker or crockpot and leave it on low for a few hours.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Wine - You want a good quality wine that you like to drink, no cooking wines. You can use a good inexpensive wine as long as it's drinkable. I like to use a zinfandel, pinot noir, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, or merlot,
- Citrus - I like using both lemon and orange peel. But I do love the flavor of the orange in mine. So I love adding some orange slices. And you can also add fresh cranberries, orange juice, apple cider,
- Apple - For me, the apple offsets the flavor of orange, so while it's still there it's subtle.
- Spices - I like to add whole spices such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom pods, whole cloves, nutmeg, and star anise. You can also add allspice.
- Sweetener - I like using honey or maple syrup. And yet, you can also use 3 tablespoons of brown sugar. In fact, I do like the caramel-like flavor molasses add from the brown sugar.
- Liquor - Brandy is my personal favorite. I think it's a winter drink. But you can also use Bourbon, Cognac, Irish whiskey, rum, or Cointreau.
How to make the best mulled wine
Stovetop
- Combine - In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine all the ingredients and stir to combine.
- Simmer - Let simmer on low for 15 minutes or up to 3 hours. Do not let it bubble or boil.
Pro tip - If the wine boils it will evaporate all the alcohol. So a gentle simmer is all you need to infuse those flavors - Strain - Taste and adjust sweetness. If necessary, add more maple syrup or honey. Remove from the heat. Strain through a fine-mesh, strainer, or cheesecloth.
Pro tip - I never strain my mulled wine because I like to serve it with cooked fruits and spices.
Slow cooker
- Simmer - Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker or crockpot and stir to combine. Cook on low for 3 hours.
- Strain - Taste and adjust sweetness. If necessary, add more maple syrup or honey. Remove from the heat. Strain through a fine-mesh, strainer, or cheesecloth.
Pro tip - I never strain my mulled wine because I like to serve it with fruits and spices.
Serve
- Mulled wine is served warm in heatproof mugs. Use the ingredients in the mulled wine to serve as garnishes.
More cocktail recipes
- Baileys Irish Cream
- Butterscotch Irish Cream
- Baileys Chocolate Martini
- Cherry Champagne Cocktail
- Cranberry Margarita
- Homemade Classic Eggnog Recipe
- Strawberry Vodka Cocktail
- Kahlua Chocolate Milkshake
- See all cocktail recipes
Frequently asked questions
This recipe for mulled wine will keep in the fridge for about 4 to 5 days. You can warm it on low heat before you drink.
Yes. You can make a non-alcoholic mulled wine. Replace the red wine in this recipe with grape juice and the brandy with apple juice. Keep everything else the same. Serve it warm in heatproof glasses or mugs.
Absolutely, add all ingredients to the slow cooker or crockpot and cook on low for 4 hours. This is the best way to serve a cocktail mulled wine for a large party.
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Best Mulled Wine Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 ml) Red wine (dry red wine is preferred )
- 2 strips Lemon peel
- 2 strips Orange peel
- 2 Orange slices (½ orange cut into rounds)
- 2 Apple slices (½ apple cut into rounds)
- ½ cup (120 ml) Brandy
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoon) Honey (or maple syrup)
Spices
- 2 Cinnamon stick ((3-inch sticks))
- 2 Star anise
- 4 Cloves
- 2 Cardamoms (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg (freshly grated)
Instructions
Stovetop
- Combine - In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine all the ingredients and stir to combine.
- Simmer - Let simmer on low for 15 minutes or up to 3 hours. Do not let it bubble or boil. Pro tip - If the wine boils it will evaporate all the alcohol. So, a gentle simmer is all you need to infuse those flavors.
- Strain - Taste and adjust sweetness. If necessary, add more maple syrup or honey. Remove from the heat. Strain through a fine-mesh, strainer, or cheesecloth.Pro tip - I never strain my mulled wine because I like to serve it with cooked fruits and spices.
Slow cooker
- Simmer - Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker or crockpot and stir to combine. Cook on low for 3 hours.
- Strain - Taste and adjust sweetness. If necessary, add more maple syrup or honey. Remove from the heat. Strain through a fine-mesh, strainer, or cheesecloth.Pro tip - I never strain my mulled wine because I like to serve it with fruits and spices.
Serve
- Mulled wine is served warm in heatproof mugs. Use the ingredients in the mulled wine to serve as garnishes.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
maryanne
I've always loved mulled wine but never attempted it at home before. This was a very easy and delicious recipe that both my husband and I really enjoyed! I will keep this one in my holiday recipe files!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you for the lovely feedback, Maryanne. I am happy that you enjoyed this recipe.