This classic mulled wine recipe combines bold red wine with brandy, orange slices, maple syrup, and whole spices for a warm and comforting drink that’s delightful to sip on during the holidays and winter season.
Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is a cozy drink that’s fragrant, flavorful, and has just the right amount of sweetness. In short, mulled wine is red wine simmered with mulling spices for a festive drink. It’s great for a cold winter evening, holiday parties, or happy hour during the holiday season.
Want more holiday drinks? Try my mulled apple cider, apple cider margarita, or apple cider sangria next!
Ingredient notes
- Wine: The best wine for mulled wine is a full-bodied red wine. I suggest a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Zinfandel.
- Brandy: A traditional mulled wine recipe will call for a splash brandy! It adds a rich, fruity, and complex flavor.
- Orange: Fresh orange brings a brightness to the drink and also makes for a festive garnish!
- Mulling spices: A mulling spice mix often contains whole cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise. You can you a store-bought mix which will likely also contain allspice and nutmeg or use individual ingredients.
- Sweetener: I love the sweetness and warm notes maple syrup brings to this drink. Feel free to substitute with granulated sugar or brown sugar.
How to make spiced wine
Find the full direction for this simple mulled wine recipe below in the printable recipe card.
- Mix together: Add the bottle of red wine, brandy, sliced orange, maple syrup, and spices to a large pot and stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer: Place the pot over medium heat and let simmer for at least 15 minutes. If the wine mixture starts to boil, turn the heat down.
- Strain and serve: Remove the orange slices and whole spices from the pot. Strain the mulled wine into heatproof mugs.
- Optionally garnish: Serve with an orange slice, cinnamon stick, or even fresh rosemary and cranberries.
Tips and variations
- Remove the orange peel to reduce the bitterness.
- Don’t let the mulled wine boil in the pot, that will cook off the alcohol.
- Store leftover mulled wine in an airtight container or jar for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stove over low heat.
- Make slow cooker mulled wine by combining everything in your crock pot and cooking on low for 30 minutes then switching to the keep warm setting.
I hope you enjoy this spiced wine recipe as much as we do! If you give it a try, let me know what you think by leaving a rating and comment. Happy holidays!
Mulled Wine
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (750 ml) bottle of red wine
- ¼ cup brandy
- 1 orange cut into slices
- 3 tablespoon maple syrup
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 star anise
Instructions
- Combine everything together in a large pot over low-medium heat and stir to combine.
- Let simmer for at least 15 minutes. If the wine mixture starts to boil, turn down the heat so the alcohol doesn’t burn off.
- Remove the orange slices and spices from the pot and strain into heatproof mugs. Optionally garnish with a fresh orange slice and cinnamon stick. Enjoy warm.
Notes
Nutrition
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