Mulled Wine

This recipe for Mulled Wine is easy and delicious, plus it’s the ideal big batch cocktail for holiday parties. The aroma alone is enough to evoke the spirit of the season, but the warmly spiced flavor is where it really shines.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings servings

Calories 176kcal

Author John Kanell

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.

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