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Mulled Wine

December 15, 2023

Perfumed with the warm spices of winter, this classic mulled wine invites imbibers to pause for a moment and savor the season.

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a pot of mulled wine made with red wine, fresh orange juice, orange peels, brown sugar, star anise, cloves & cinnamon sticks

More warming festive drinks

A Traditional Mulled Wine Recipe For All Your Holiday Traditions

It’s the perfect drink for holiday parties and last minute get-togethers alike. A heavenly medley of wine and spices with a hint of fruit, steeped over the stove until bursting with flavor—mulled wine is our favorite way to warm these cold winter nights. For more fun cocktail recipes for entertaining we love our Espresso Martini and Grapefruit Cardamom Gin Fizz. Mulled wine kits, along with our Chai Tea Concentrate & Irish Cream Liqueur are all great gifts for giving.

red wine, fresh orange juice, orange peels, brown sugar, star anise, cloves and cinnamon sticks in prep bowls for mulled wine

Mulled Wine Ingredients

  • Two large oranges

  • One bottle red wine, see our note below

  • 3 whole cinnamon sticks

  • 5 whole star anise

  • 10 whole cloves

  • Brown sugar

Red wine in large pot next to fresh orange juice, orange peels, cinnamon sticks, whole star anise and whole cloves.

How To Make Mulled Wine

  1. Using a citrus juicer, juice two oranges into a medium size pot.

  2. Add the wine, cinnamon, anise, cloves and sugar to the pot, stir to combine and set over medium heat, until just beginning to steam.

  3. Reduce the heat to low and continue to warm for 30 minutes or until the wine is infused with the spices.

  4. If you’d like you can strain before serving, or serve with all the goodies.

a pot of mulled red wine made with, fresh orange juice, orange peels, brown sugar, star anise, cloves & cinnamon sticks

How to Store Mulled Wine + Tips

  • Use whole spices—not ground. Not only do whole spices look pretty in the pot, they allow the flavors of the clove, cinnamon and anise to infuse the wine with their warmth without changing the consistency of the mulled wine, as ground spices might.

  • Make sure your spices are fresh. Whole spices, like those called for in our recipe, last longer than ground. Whole spices are usually good for 3-4 years after purchase. If you think yours might be older than that, toss them.

  • The longer you let this simmer, the more spiced your mulled wine will become. This is a good thing—until it’s not. Don’t let this simmer to death—once you’ve hit 30 minutes, cover the mulled wine to keep it warm, but turn the heat off.

  • Best wines for mulled wine: Zinfandel fruity and jammy Cabernet Sauvignon is a big, juicy, high alcohol wine, and Syrah is silky and rich with dark fruit-and-spice notes (our favorite).

  • Mulled wine can be refrigerated for 3-5 days. You can reheat in a small pot on the stove, or in a crock pot.

a pot of mulled wine made with red wine, fresh orange juice, orange peels, brown sugar, star anise, cloves & cinnamon sticks

More Party Drinks From The Modern Proper

Hot Mulled Wine + More

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Mulled Wine

  • Serves:  6
  • Prep Time:  15 min
  • Cook Time:  30 min
  • Calories:  226

Ingredients

  • 2 large oranges
  • 1 (750ml) bottle red wine, such as Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
  • 3 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 5 whole star anise
  • 10 whole cloves
  • ¾ cup brown sugar

Method

  1. Using a sharp knife or peeler, peel half of one orange. Avoid peeling as much pith (white part) as possible, to avoid any bitterness. Juice both oranges into a medium sized pot.

  2. Add the wine, cinnamon, anise, cloves, orange peels and sugar to the pot, stir to combine and set over medium heat, until just beginning to steam. Reduce the heat to low and continue to warm for 30 minutes or until the wine is infused with the spices.

  3. If desired, strain the wine before serving in mugs.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories 226
  • Protein 1 g
  • Carbohydrates 25 g
  • Total Fat 0 g
  • Dietary Fiber 1 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • sodium 13 mg
  • Total Sugars 31 g

Mulled Wine

Questions & Reviews

Join the discussion below.

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  • Stephanie

    Hi! Can you save tour leftovers and reheat?

    Yes! Let it cool completely, then store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on low on the stove.

  • Sarah

    Hoping to make this for a holiday gathering. About how much juice would be expected from juicing the two oranges? Any needed adjustments if looking to double or triple the recipe? Thanks so much!

    about 3/4 cup to 1 cup.

  • Carol

    How long can I keep it warm? We are Carol singing and want it warm when we get back.

    For a long time! Just keep it in a crockpot on the warm setting.

  • Anna

    Made this today and reminds my husband of Glogg!!! Very good.

    Thanks, so glad you love it!

  • Merrie

    Excellent mulled wine recipe!! The star anise flavor was deliciously pronounced. I loved that about this recipe. We used a fruity Syrah and it was perfect. Thanks for the perfect cold night recipe!!

    You're so welcome Merrie Beth! Glad you enjoyed it!

  • Kim

    Ahhh... reading your website is like flipping through a beautiful editorial cookbook

    Awe, Thank you so much!