Try this easy mulled wine recipe to add some warm cheer to a chilly day! Cozy spices simmer with a red wine mixture to create the most delicious, fragrant mulled wine. Perfect for fall, winter, and beyond!
Calling all lovers of cozy things! Once you try this recipe, I guarantee it’s going to be your favorite go-to beverage for entertaining, nights out, or cozy evenings at home.
This easy mulled wine recipe couldn’t be simpler to make but adds so much to a fall or winter day. The cozy spices, rich wine, and sweet honey combine in an absolutely perfect way.
You’ll want to be holding a mug of this at all times!
Psst — there’s more where this came from! If you love this recipe be sure to sign up for my VIP group below, where I’ll send more of my very best ideas straight to ya.
What Is Mulled Wine?
Mulled wine goes by so many names, depending on the country of origin! You may have heard it called glühwein, glögg, vin brulé, vin chaud, vino caliente, or many other names — but they all boil down (no pun intended!) to a very similar recipe.
Mulled wine, or spiced wine, is simply wine that’s been heated along with various simmering spices, some brandy, and a sweetener.
More Cocktail Ideas for the Holidays
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- Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
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- How to Make a Bee’s Knees Cocktail
- Basil Gimlet Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
You might have everything you need to make mulled wine right in your cabinets! It’s a very simple recipe that results in a drink that’s rich, layered, and delicious to sip.
Red wine. Don’t use your best bottle! Mulled wine isn’t snobby; a mid-range red will do perfectly! I like to use a Red Zinfandel, Merlot, or Grenache. Bottles that mention fruity notes, or a full bodied wine will work well to combine with the spices and added sweetness of the mulled wine recipe.
Brandy. Adding a bit of brandy (it’s really not much!) takes up the alcohol content of the mulled wine and also adds a gentle bite to the flavor that I enjoy! Again, a fancy brandy isn’t necessary. We use a bottle of E&J VSOP that we’ve had on hand forever. (Did you know that the Gallo winery is here in Modesto?)
Sweetener. I prefer honey for the natural flavor, but you can choose your favorite sweetener!
Oranges. Oranges add a bright citrusy note, countering the spices and making for a lovely layer of flavor.
Spices. This is the fun part! You really can’t go too wrong with the spices, so if you have some fall spices you love, add those in. A little goes a long way. Some of my favorites are cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, cloves, star anise, and vanilla.
Garnish. Garnishing your mulled wine is also lots of fun. Many of the spices make great garnishes. I also love adding fresh cranberries.
Substitutions for Mulled Wine
Try White Wine. You can swap the red for an inexpensive bottle of dry white wine for a fresh take on this recipe.
Skip the Brandy. I personally like the touch of brandy but you can eliminate it completely! You could also switch it up with some Cointreau or another orange liqueur to accentuate the citrusy notes. Or try adding bourbon instead for a richer flavor.
Try a Different Sweetener. Switch up the honey and instead try maple syrup or brown sugar.
Mix Up the Spices. Finally, don’t be afraid to try different combinations of spices!
Easy Mulled Wine Recipe
- In a pot, combine wine, brandy, honey, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, and cloves. If you wish to eliminate bitterness, remove the peel from the orange slices before adding to the pot. Give all ingredients a stir.
- Begin to heat ingredients on a medium heat for a few minutes. Keep a watch to ensure that as soon as the mulled wine starts to bubble at all, you turn the heat down to low. You don’t want to cook off any of the alcohol.
- Place a lid on the pot and continue to cook on low, not allowing the mixture to bubble. You can cook for as little as 15 minutes, or up to 3 hours to let the spices continue to flavor the wine.
- Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove the oranges and spices.
- Fill heatproof glasses or mugs with the mulled wine and add any desired garnishes.
Can You Make Mulled Wine in a Crock Pot?
Can you make mulled wine in a Crock Pot? Of course you can!
If your stovetop is full or you just want to let it slowly cook for a few hours, simply make this recipe in your Crock Pot (here’s a very simple one that we’ve had forever). Bonus: your house will smell amazing either way.
Just be aware that you still won’t want to let the mulled wine bubble or actively simmer, so that you’re not cooking off the alcohol.
What To Do With Mulled Wine Leftovers
Can’t finish the batch? No problem! There’s an easy way to deal with mulled wine leftovers so you don’t feel wasteful pouring it down the drain.
Simply allow the mulled wine to come to room temperature (just set it on the counter and wait). Then pour it into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to three days.
You can also freeze it! Allow it to come to room temperature and pour into a freezer bag or container. Then just pop it into the freezer.
To reheat, warm it slowly and gently in a microwave or place in a saucepan and heat slowly on the stovetop.
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! Cheers! xoxo
Easy Mulled Wine Recipe
Try this easy mulled wine recipe to add some warm cheer to a chilly day! Cozy spices simmer with a red wine mixture to create the most delicious, fragrant mulled wine. Perfect for fall, winter, and beyond!
Ingredients
- 1 bottle red wine
- 1/4 c brandy
- 1 orange, sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 6 allspice berries
- 2 tbsp honey
- additional garnishes (star anise, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, orange slices, rosemary sprigs, etc.)
Instructions
- In a pot, combine wine, brandy, honey, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, and cloves. If you wish to eliminate bitterness, remove the peel from the orange slices before adding to the pot. Give all ingredients a stir.
- Begin to heat ingredients on a medium heat for a few minutes. Keep a watch to ensure that as soon as the mulled wine starts to bubble at all, you turn the heat down to low. You don't want to cook off any of the alcohol.
- Place a lid on the pot and continue to cook on low, not allowing the mixture to bubble. You can cook for as little as 15 minutes, or up to 3 hours to let the spices continue to flavor the wine.
- Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove the oranges and spices.
- Fill heatproof glasses or mugs with the mulled wine and add any desired garnishes.
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