Mulled Wine Recipe
Written by Our straightforward mulled wine recipe is your ticket to warmth! Combine red wine, orange slices, spices, and some brandy for the ultimate winter cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 263
Ingredients
- 1 bottle Red Wine
- 1 orange - sliced, with the skin still on
- 5 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- 4 tablespoons sugar or honey
- 1 pinch grated nutmeg - optional
- 2 oz Brandy - optional
Equipment
- Large Pot or Slow Cooker
- Ladle
- Heatproof Glasses
Instructions
- Prep Pot: Pour 1 bottle Red Wine into a large pot or slow cooker.
- Add Spices: Toss in 5 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 star anise, and optionally 1 pinch grated nutmeg.
- Add Orange: Put in the sliced orange of 1 orange.
- Sweeten: Stir in 4 tablespoons sugar or honey.
- Simmer: Let everything simmer on low heat for at least 15 minutes but not more than 3 hours. Be careful to not boil the wine, otherwise the alcohol will evaporate.
- Optional: Stir in 2 oz Brandy.
- Strain: Strain the mulled wine to remove the spices and orange slices. This will leave you with a clear, flavorful drink.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Red Wine: You can use white wine or apple cider for a different flavor profile if you don't have red wine. I've also used cranberry juice for a non-alcoholic version.
- Sugar/Honey: Feel free to substitute with your preferred sweetener. Agave syrup works well as a vegan option.
- Brandy: This is optional, but use bourbon or Rum if you want warmth and depth. For a sweeter version, Triple Sec or amaretto can also be a great addition.
Making a Pitcher of Mulled Wine:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, you'll need two bottles of wine and double all the other ingredients.
- Mix: In a large pot, combine all the ingredients and let them simmer on low heat for at least 15 minutes, but not more than 3 hours.
- Serve: Ladle the mulled wine into individual heatproof glasses, straining out the spices.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Wine Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic red wine or cranberry juice instead of regular wine.
Making it Vegan:
- Sweetener: Replace the honey with a vegan sweetener like agave or maple syrup.