This mulled wine recipe is both sweet and savory and is perfect for serving at holiday parties. Make it in a slow cooker to keep it warm for hours.
I love hot drinks. Coffee, tea, chocolate—you name it, I love it! I also rather enjoy a glass of wine. So when I happened upon a recipe that combines the two, I was quite excited to try it out. The flavor of this mulled wine recipe is quite interesting; it’s both sweet and savory, and perfect for sipping at a holiday party. I’m not sure if it’s replaced spiked apple cider as my favorite fall drink, but it’s perfect for the transition from fall to winter. Keep reading for the recipe!
What is mulled wine?
Mulled wine is traditionally red wine that’s been infused with spices like cinnamon and cloves, and it’s always served warm. It’s been popular in Europe for centuries and goes by many names, such as Glühwein (in Germany) and Vin Chaud (in France). Our mulled wine recipe features easy-to-find spices like cinnamon and allspice, but it can also be made with anise, nutmeg, vanilla, and more.
Per The Spruce Eats, mulled wine may also feature fruits like figs, raisins, or apples and may contain additional alcohols like vodka or rum (which we’ve chosen to skip in favor of making this homemade mulled wine super simple).
What’s the best wine for mulled wine?
Really any red wine will work in this mulled wine recipe. However, the website Wine Folly recommends avoiding delicate flavored wines like pinot noir or gamay. Instead, you should choose a bolder wine like a Syrah or a Malbec because they stand up to heat a little better and pair nicely with strong spices like cinnamon.
Personally, we say buy whatever red wine is within your budget. The spices in this mulled wine recipe mask the flavors of cheaper wine, and if you’re making this drink for a crowd there’s no need to blow your budget on the alcohol. Some mulled wine recipes call for white wine, but reds are a little more forgiving and feel more festive to me.
Making this mulled wine recipe
This mulled wine recipe is for one bottle, but it can be easily multiplied for all your party needs. If serving this at a party, heat the mulled wine in a slow cooker instead of in a pot. Guests can more easily serve themselves from a slow cooker, and you won’t have to worry about wandering toddlers hurting themselves on an open flame.
This mulled wine recipe is…
Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy free. To make vegan and plant-based, use agave nectar instead of honey.
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Mulled Wine Recipe
(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 1x
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Pin RecipeDescription
This mulled wine recipe is both sweet and savory and is perfect for serving at holiday parties. Make it in a slow cooker to keep it warm for hours.
Ingredients
- 1 orange
- 1 bottle red wine (Pinot Noir or Cabernet)
- 12 cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Zest the orange, keeping the peel only (not the pith).
- Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and simmer on low for 20 minutes. Do not boil. Add more honey to taste. Serve warm.
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: European
Keywords: mulled wine recipe
Looking for more drink recipes?
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About the Authors
Sonja Overhiser
Cookbook Author and writer
Sonja Overhiser is author of Pretty Simple Cooking, named one of the best healthy cookbooks of 2018. She’s host of the food podcast Small Bites and founder of the food blog A Couple Cooks. Featured from the TODAY Show to Bon Appetit, Sonja seeks to inspire adventurous eating to make the world a better place one bite at a time.
Alex Overhiser
Cookbook Author and photographer
Alex Overhiser is an acclaimed food photographer and author based in Indianapolis. He’s host of the food podcast Small Bites and founder of the recipe website A Couple Cooks. Featured from the TODAY Show to Bon Appetit, Alex is author of Pretty Simple Cooking, named one of the best vegetarian cookbooks by Epicurious.
5 Comments
milena
December 20, 2010 at 6:53 pmBeautiful photography, love the dishes, I will try and hook you guys up with some more dishware to do pictures with!!
Tiffany
December 20, 2010 at 8:16 pmI thought it was much more complicated to make for some reason, I want to give it a try! Thank you for sharing so many wonderful recipes, happy holidays!
Tes
December 21, 2010 at 6:08 amIt sounds like a great drink. I have never tried mulled wine before. I definitely need to try it :)
Potato Chops and Boneless Chicken
December 22, 2010 at 1:00 amHow gorgeous are your cups? Are they a family heirloom? I’ve never made my own mulled wine before but am going to give your recipe a try for Christmas Eve. Happy Holidays!
Alex
December 22, 2010 at 10:38 amThanks! The cups are my great-grandmother’s — it was a good excuse to use them. :)
Have fun making the wine! Make sure to do the honey to taste — I over-sweetened the first time…