Mulled Wine is a cozy winter drink I look forward to making each holiday season. It’s warm, fragrant, and absolutely delicious. Plus, it’s ready to serve in about thirty minutes.
It’s a perfect easy cocktail for a holiday party, as your guests can serve themselves through the evening. All you have to do is set all the ingredients to simmer about 30-45 minutes before they arrive. Plus, they will definitely appreciate a warm drink after coming in from the cold.
Ready for a short history lesson? Mulled Wine is a classic beverage that is served all over the world. It dates back to the Romans who were said to heat their wine with honey and spices to keep warm during the winter months. There are as many names (Glühwein, Glögg, vinho quente, vin chaud, to name just a few) as there are variations of preparation.
I love that this recipe is easy to customize. Choose a varietal of red wine that you enjoy, and play around with the spices you enjoy. While I love brandy in my spiced wine, you can substitute apple cider if you choose.
FAQs:
Anything with bigger, bolder flavors will work well. Think Zinfandel, Merlot, Shiraz, or Malbec. Don’t worry about splurging on an expensive bottle since the mulling spices are going to change the flavor profile. With that said, you DO want a decent bottle of wine. Go for something in the $12.00 - $18.00 range.
Mulling spices are whole, warm spices that are typically used to flavor warm wine or cider during the fall and winter. You can create your own unique blend depending on the flavors you prefer. Think about incorporating spices such as: cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, star anise, peppercorns, or cardamom pods. Often, fresh or dried fruit is also incorporated. While you can certainly purchase premade mulling spices, it’s easy to create your own.
If you have leftover wine, allow it to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. In fact, this is a great tactic for preparing mulled wine ahead of time. Simply prepare according to the recipe, then cool and store in the fridge for up to three days. Gently reheat on low in a slow cooker, or over medium-low heat on the stove top, about 30-45 minutes before your guests arrive.
Yes, you can. Plus, check out this recipe for Mulled Wine Sorbet from Jamie Oliver!
Yes! To make a non-alcoholic mulled wine, simply replace the wine and brandy with with a mixture of juices such as cranberry, apple, and orange. Simmer with the spices, but taste near the end to see if you even need the maple syrup.
How to Make Mulled Wine:
- Begin by slicing the orange into ½ inch rounds.
- Add the bottle of wine, brandy, maple syrup, and spices to a large non-reactive pot. Simmer over low heat—do not boil—until heated through and the wine has had a chance to extract the flavor from the orange slices and spices.
- Heat for approximately 30 minutes. Carefully taste for flavor before serving. If you’d like a bit more sweetness, add a little more maple syrup.
- Remove and discard the spices and orange slices, and serve in heatproof glasses or mugs. Add fresh orange slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish if desired.
Make your Mulled Wine Alcohol Free:
- To make an alcohol free mulled wine, simply omit the wine and brandy. Replace with a mix of juices such as cranberry, apple, and orange. You'll need about 3 ½ cups of juice to equal the same amount of liquid.
- Simmer with the same spices for about 30 minutes. Taste near the end of simmering to check for sweetness. Add more or less of the maple syrup depending on how sweet you'd like the drink.
Serving Suggestions:
- If you enjoy ginger, add some slices while heating the wine and spices.
- Try substituting Spiced Simple Syrup in place of the maple syrup for a sweetener.
- Tossing in a few fresh cranberries to each glass also makes a pretty presentation.
- This recipe is easily scalable for larger gatherings. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately.
- If serving a larger crowd, consider heating the mulled wine in a crockpot or slow cooker, then simply using the keep warm feature so your guests can serve themselves through the evening.
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Recipe Notes:
- Buying whole spices greatly improves their shelf life. Whole spices can be stored in a cool dry place for up to 4 years.
- It is worth buying quality maple syrup for the best taste. Just make sure to refrigerate it after opening.
- Explore all the Cocktail and Drink recipes from Inspired Fresh Life.
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More Cold Weather Cocktails to Love:
Mulled Wine
Mulled Wine is a cozy winter drink that’s perfect for gatherings. It’s warm, fragrant, and absolutely delicious. Plus, it’s ready to serve in about thirty minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle red wine
- ¼ cup brandy
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 orange, sliced
- 8 whole cloves
- 6 allspice berries
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- For garnish: additional orange slices and cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Begin by slicing the orange into ½ inch rounds.
- Add the bottle of wine, brandy, maple syrup, oranges, and spices to a large non-reactive pot. Simmer over low heat—do not boil—until heated through and the wine has had a chance to extract the flavor from the orange slices and spices.
- Heat for approximately 30 minutes. Carefully taste for flavor before serving. If you’d like a bit more sweetness, add a little more maple syrup.
- Remove the spices and orange slices, and serve in heatproof glasses or mugs. Add fresh orange slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish if desired.
Notes
Buying whole spices greatly improves their shelf life. Whole spices can be stored in a cool dry place for up to 4 years.
It is worth buying quality maple syrup for the best taste. Just make sure to refrigerate it after opening.
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Inspired Fresh Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. Thank you for supporting Inspired Fresh Life.
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 272Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 13mgCarbohydrates 28gFiber 4gSugar 15gProtein 1g
Note: Nutritional information is an approximation. Different brands and/or quantities will change the nutrition profile.
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