For those who haven’t had the pleasure of enjoying this beverage before, hot mulled wine is a traditional winter beverage made by warming red wine with a medley of spices, a touch of sweetness, and a hint of citrus. Each sip is comforting, with deep, fruity notes from the wine beautifully intertwined with the zesty citrus and the resonating warmth of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Think of it as a cup of holiday cheer!
This holiday party hero is incredibly easy to make in large quantities, ensuring everyone at your party can enjoy a warm, spiced sip of cheer as they step in from the cold. As a bonus, it also acts as a fragrant simmer pot, making your whole house smell lovely for your holiday gatherings! For more holiday drink recipes, check out my homemade Eggnog, the best Hot Chocolate recipe, and Peppermint Martini.
What You Need To Make This Recipe
Red wine — any affordable full-bodied bottle of wine works wonderfully for mulling. You can choose a dry red or a fruity red depending on your preference. I like using Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pinot Noir but the best wine to use is whatever you enjoy drinking.
Brandy — for adding depth and warmth. When choosing a brandy, opt for a decent-quality one that you’d enjoy drinking on its own. Aged rum, cognac, grand marnier, or apple brandy can work as well.
Orange — orange slices not only add a bright pop of color to this holiday season favorite but also impart their zesty flavor. While I prefer using sliced fresh oranges, you can use about ¼ cup of orange juice in a pinch.
Whole spices — the aromatic combination of star anise pods, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks is what gives this hot wine its classic holiday flavor profile.
Honey or maple syrup — adding a hint of sweetness helps to soften the edges of this potent elixir. You’re also welcome to use agave if you’d like.
How To Make Mulled Wine
1. In a medium pot or saucepan, combine the wine and brandy.
2. Add the remaining ingredients with enough sweetener to taste.
3. Bring to a simmer over medium or medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from the heat. Serve immediately or keep warm.
4. Garnish each mug with a fresh orange slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise pod.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Don’t shy away from using boxed wine. It’s a budget-friendly option that can be surprisingly good quality. Look for a medium-bodied red with fruity notes, as it will meld well with the spices. Save the expensive wine for enjoying by the glass!
- For parties, let your slow cooker do the work. Slow-cooking the mulled wine on a low setting not only infuses the flavors more deeply but also keeps it at the perfect sipping temperature throughout your event. Set up a serve-yourself drink station with a ladle, mugs, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks for garnish.
- Simmer, don’t boil. When heating your spiced wine, aim for a gentle simmer and avoid boiling. Boiling can evaporate the alcohol, concentrate the wine, and alter the flavors of the spices.
- Tie your spices in a cheesecloth bag before adding them to the wine to make it easy to remove them when the flavor is just right, preventing over-spicing.
- Get creative! Adding fruits like apple slices, cranberries, or even pomegranate seeds can give an extra layer of flavor and make your hot cocktail visually appealing. For a sweeter beverage, add apple juice to taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure thing! The process is similar to using red wine, but you’ll want to choose spices and sweeteners that complement the lighter, brighter profile of white wine. Opt for a dry or semi-dry white wine as the base. Spices like cinnamon and star anise still work well, but you might consider adding lighter citrus notes, such as lemon or orange peel, and maybe a hint of ginger for a refreshing twist.
The simmering process may reduce some of the alcohol content, but not very much. The addition of brandy or other spirits increases the overall alcohol content, making it more potent than regular wine. While the alcohol content will vary depending on the variety of wine and brandy or liqueur you use, it’s important to remember that at the end of the day, mulled wine is a cocktail. So drink responsibly!
If you have leftover mulled wine, let it cool to room temperature. Strain out the spices, pour it into airtight containers or a bottle, and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for about three to five days. The flavors will actually meld and mellow a bit over time, so you might find it even tastier the next day! When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just gently reheat it – but remember, don’t let it boil to keep all those lovely flavors intact.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this Mulled Wine recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
Mulled Wine
Equipment
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 bottle red wine (750ml)
- ⅓ cup brandy
- 1 orange sliced into rounds
- 4 star anise pods
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup*
Garnishes:
- orange slices
- cinnamon sticks
- star anise
Instructions
- In a medium pot or saucepan, combine the wine and brandy. Add the remaining ingredients with enough sweetener to taste.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from the heat. Serve immediately or keep warm. Garnish each mug with a fresh orange slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise pod.
Notes
- Don’t shy away from using boxed wine. It’s a budget-friendly option that can be surprisingly good quality. Look for a medium-bodied red with fruity notes, as it will meld well with the spices. Save the expensive wine for enjoying by the glass!
- For parties, let your slow cooker do the work. Slow-cooking the mulled wine on a low setting not only infuses the flavors more deeply but also keeps it at the perfect sipping temperature throughout your event. Set up a serve-yourself drink station with a ladle, mugs, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks for garnish.
- Simmer, don’t boil. When heating your spiced wine, aim for a gentle simmer and avoid boiling. Boiling can evaporate the alcohol, concentrate the wine, and alter the flavors of the spices.
- Tie your spices in a cheesecloth bag before adding them to the wine to make it easy to remove them when the flavor is just right, preventing over-spicing.
- Get creative! Adding fruits like apple slices, cranberries, or even pomegranate seeds can give an extra layer of flavor and make your hot cocktail visually appealing. For a sweeter beverage, add apple juice to taste.
Leave a Reply