How to Make the Perfect Spiced Mulled Wine
European · Easy · 30 min · 8 servings
This warming spiced mulled wine fills your home with the most incredible festive aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and citrus. It is the perfect drink to serve at holiday gatherings and keeps guests warm on cold winter evenings.
Why this recipe works
This Spiced Mulled Wine recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 180 calories with 0g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 bottle dry red wine
- 2 whole oranges sliced into rounds
- 4 whole cinnamon sticks
- 8 whole cloves
- 0.25 cup honey
- 1 cup apple cider
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Combine Ingredients
Pour the entire bottle of red wine and the apple cider into a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to the pot.
Step 2: Sweeten and Heat
Stir in the honey until it dissolves into the liquid. Heat the mixture gently until it is steaming but do not allow it to boil, as boiling will cook off the alcohol and dull the flavors.
Step 3: Simmer to Develop Flavor
Reduce heat to the lowest setting and allow the mulled wine to simmer for at least 15 minutes so the spices can fully infuse the wine with their warm, festive flavors.
Step 4: Strain and Serve
Use a ladle to strain the mulled wine through a fine mesh strainer into heatproof mugs or glasses. Garnish each mug with a fresh cinnamon stick and an orange slice before serving.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- dry red wine → grape juice for a non-alcoholic version
- honey → maple syrup or granulated sugar
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Bringing the wine to a full boil which evaporates the alcohol and creates a flat taste
- Adding too many cloves which can overpower every other spice in the drink
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 180 calories, 0g protein, 24g carbs, 0g fat, 1g fiber.
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