Quick Answer
To make mulled wine, pour a bottle of dry, fruity red wine into a pot with sliced orange, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole cloves, 2 star anise and 2 to 4 tablespoons of sugar or honey.
Warm it over low heat for 15 to 25 minutes, until steaming but never boiling. Strain out the spices and serve in heatproof mugs.
A splash of brandy is traditional but optional. Gentle heat is the key, since boiling turns the spices bitter and the wine harsh.
What Ingredients Do You Need?
For about 6 small mugs:
- 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds, plus a few strips of peel
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 to 6 whole cloves
- 2 star anise pods
- 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar, honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup brandy or orange liqueur (optional)
- A few cardamom pods or slices of fresh ginger (optional)
What Wine Is Best for Mulled Wine?
Pick a dry, fruity, inexpensive red with soft tannins. Merlot, Zinfandel, Garnacha, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon blends all work well.
Skip very oaky or heavily tannic wines. Heat brings out bitterness, and the spice blend covers the fine details of an expensive bottle anyway.
Why Use Whole Spices?
Whole spices release flavor slowly and are easy to strain out. Ground spices make the wine cloudy and gritty, and they can turn muddy and bitter after a long warm.
If you only have ground spice, tie it in a coffee filter or cheesecloth bundle and use about a quarter of a teaspoon of each.
How Do You Make Mulled Wine, Step by Step?
1. Combine. Pour the wine into a medium pot. Add the orange slices, peel, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and 2 tablespoons of sweetener.
2. Warm gently. Set the pot over medium low heat. Once small bubbles appear at the edge, turn it to low.
3. Steep. Let it steep for 15 to 25 minutes. It should steam, not bubble.
4. Taste. Add more sweetener a spoonful at a time. Stir in the brandy at the end if using.
5. Strain and serve. Ladle through a fine strainer into heatproof mugs or glasses. Garnish with an orange slice or cinnamon stick.
Why Should Mulled Wine Not Boil?
Boiling drives off aroma and makes the wine taste stewed. It also pulls bitter compounds from the orange pith and cloves.
Low, steady heat gives a smooth, round flavor. If you hold it for a party, a slow cooker on the warm setting works well.
Does Heating Remove the Alcohol?
Only a little. Warming wine for 20 minutes does not cook off most of the alcohol, and adding brandy raises it again. Treat mulled wine as a full strength drink.
The CDC defines one standard drink as 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is about 5 ounces of wine at 12 percent alcohol. NIAAA uses the same definition. A big mug of mulled wine with brandy can easily be more than one drink.
How Do You Make Non Alcoholic Mulled Wine?
Swap the wine for a mix of unsweetened grape juice and cranberry or pomegranate juice. Add a splash of black tea for some of the tannic structure you lose without wine.
Use the same spices and orange, but cut the sweetener, since juice is already sweet. This version is great for kids and anyone not drinking.
What Flavor Variations Can You Try?
- Gluhwein style: add lemon peel and a little more sugar.
- Apple: replace a cup of wine with fresh apple cider.
- White mulled wine: use a dry white with pear, ginger and honey.
- Berry: add a handful of fresh or frozen cranberries.
- Spiced rum: swap brandy for dark rum.
How Do You Make Mulled Wine for a Party?
Double or triple the recipe in a slow cooker. Warm on high for about an hour, then switch to low or warm.
Strain out the spices after 2 hours so they do not turn bitter, and keep a ladle and a bowl of orange slices nearby. Set out a pitcher of water and a non alcoholic option for guests.
How Do You Store Leftover Mulled Wine?
Strain it, cool it and store in a sealed bottle or jar in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove without boiling.
The flavor will be a bit flatter on day two. Add a fresh strip of orange peel and a new cinnamon stick when you rewarm it.
What Foods Go With Mulled Wine?
Mulled wine pairs well with warm, savory snacks like roasted nuts, a cheese board with aged cheddar or blue cheese, and cured meats.
For something sweet, try gingerbread, shortbread, spiced cookies or a slice of fruit cake. The orange and cinnamon in the wine echo the warm spices in these treats.
How Do You Make a Mulling Spice Bundle as a Gift?
Place 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 cloves, 2 star anise, a few cardamom pods and a strip of dried orange peel in a small cheesecloth bag or jar.
Tie it with twine and attach a card with the steps: add one bottle of wine and a few spoons of sugar, warm on low for 20 minutes and do not boil. It makes a thoughtful host gift for fall and winter parties.
Whole spices keep their flavor for about a year in a sealed jar, so you can make a batch of bundles well ahead of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cheap wine?
Yes. A fruity, inexpensive bottle is ideal.
How long can it stay warm?
Up to 2 to 3 hours on low. Remove the spices after 2 hours.
What sweetener is best?
Honey and maple syrup add depth. Sugar keeps the flavor clean.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Steep, strain and chill, then rewarm before guests arrive.
The Bottom Line
Mulled wine is simple: a fruity red, whole spices, orange and a little sweetener, warmed low and slow without boiling.
Strain before serving, sweeten to taste and remember it still contains plenty of alcohol, so pour mindfully and keep a juice version ready.
