Mulled Wine Recipe
Mulled wine, also called glühwein or vin chaud turns an ordinary bottle of red into a mug of winter comfort. Whether you’re braving a Canadian snowstorm, enjoying an Australian Christmas in July, or cozying up after work in the States, this 20-minute mulled wine recipe has you covered.
Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is a popular warm alcoholic beverage enjoyed during the winter months, especially around Christmas. It’s typically made by simmering red wine with a variety of mulling spices, sweeteners, and sometimes fruit or other liquors.
As a lifelong recipe creator, I spent years tweaking the spice balance so the wine stays the star while the aromatics sing backup. Making a perfect tasting mulled wine is all about the right ingredients and correct proportions.
Red Wine is heated with mulling spices and some form of sugar at low temperature to make this spiced wine drink. I am sharing a fool-proof mulled wine recipe here. Gentle heat preserves the aroma and alcohol, maple syrup rounds the edges, and a dash of brandy lifts every sip.
Here’s simple and the Best mulled wine recipe glühwein you might have tried.
What Is Mulled Wine?
This is hot wine simmered with spices and citrus. Also known by many different names around the world. Some of the other names for mulled wine are glühwein, vino caliente, glögg and vinho quente. This is also known as spiced wine or hot wine.
I first tasted this hot wine drink at a Christmas gathering at a friend’s home and ever since I have been in love with it. It is unbelievably easy to make. The only thing you need to take care of is using the right ingredients and correct proportions to use.
Mulled Wine Recipe Ingredients
You need a few ingredients to make this hot wine in just about 20 minutes.
- Wine: You need red wine. You can use Zinfandel, merlot or Syrah. You really do not need to buy a pricey red wine. Any good quality mid-range priced wine is good for making mulled wine.
- Rum or Brandy: A good mulled wine is reasonably spiked with liqueur. Brandy, rum or Cointreau all are delicious alternative options.
- Fresh oranges: For sweetness and citrusy zing. These are a must. I use one orange for squeezing the fresh juice to add to the wine. And one for slices to add while mulling and serving. For garnish and adding to mulled wine preferably choose the small sized ones as these fit in the mug or glass easily.
- Mulling Spices: You will need whole spices like Cinnamon stick, star anise and cloves are my favourite mulling spices. I suggest not to use powdered spices.
- Sweetener: Traditionally sugar is added but I like to add natural sugars in the form of orange juice and maple syrup.
How to Make Mulled Wine
- Combine all the ingredients: In a saucepan combine all the ingredients and mix them.
- Simmer: After combining the ingredients, cover them with a lid. Now gently heat the wine over slow-medium heat. At this stage be careful to keep the temperature low as the wine begins to evaporate at higher temperatures.
- Simmer for 15 minutes and serve warm in mugs or wine glasses.
- To garnish place a cinnamon stick, a thin slice of orange and star anise. Enjoy!
Mulled Wine Variations
- Other Spices: You can add nutmeg, fresh ginger or allspice.
- You can add some raisins, cranberries or lemon zest for a festive touch in holiday season.
- For Making Glogg: Glogg is a old fashioned traditional Swedish mulled wine. Port wine is used in making the Swedish Christmas drink. Other than that cardamom and raisins are added in glogg.
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
To make mulled wine in a crockpot add all ingredients to a 4-qt slow cooker, set to LOW, cover 1 hour; switch to WARM for service. Make sure here is to keep checking that wine does not overheat or start bubbling.
Non Alcoholic Mulled Wine
Swap wine with 3 cups unsweetened cranberry juice + 3 cups cloudy apple juice; omit brandy. Proceed as written for a family-friendly “mulled mock-tail.”
Can I make mulled wine without brandy?
Absolutely. Simply omit the brandy and add 2 tbsp apple cider or orange juice for body. The spices and wine still shine, and you keep the prep strictly wine-based.
Is this a budget mulled wine recipe?
Yes one affordable bottle ($8–12 USD), pantry spices, and maple syrup keep costs low. No need for pricey liqueurs; the flavor comes from technique, not spend.
Perfect Thanksgiving Mulled Wine Tips
• Make it a day ahead and re-warm on LOW.
• Garnish mugs with dried citrus wheels for a harvest vibe.
• Pair with roast turkey, vegetarian stuffing, or pumpkin pie.
FAQ’s
Q: What wine is best for mulled wine?
A: Choose an affordable, fruity red such as Merlot or Grenache; big flavor stands up to spices without overspending. Any mid-range priced dry red wine works fine. One red wine bottle of 750ml makes up to 5-6 servings of mulled wine.
Q: Can I reheat leftover wine?
A: Yes! cool, refrigerate up to 48 hrs, then you can re-warm to 150 °F/65 °C (never boil).
Q: How do I avoid bitterness?
A: Peel the orange before simmering and keep temp below a boil; high heat extracts pith bitterness and evaporates alcohol.
Q: How many calories per mug?
A: About 180 kcal (with 2 tbsp maple syrup).
Recipe Notes: How to Make Best Mulled Wine
To make the best-mulled wine every time you make it follow these tips
- Mind the Temperature: Do not heat your mulled wine at a high temperature. Wine is delicate if you heat it at higher temperatures alcohol evaporates. Never heat the wine at the stage where it is simmering or bubbling.
- Immediately after you mix the ingredients, cover the saucepan with a fitting lid.
- Do Not Go overboard on Spices: Like every other dish when it comes to spices, less is more. Spices are potent and having tasted mulled wine with too many spices many a time I feel adding 2-3 of your favourites is best to spice the wine.
- Use only a non-reactive metal saucepan like an enamelled heavy-bottomed dutch oven, saucepan or stainless steel pot.
Storing Mulled Wine
You can store mulled wine in refrigerator in an air tight container for 4-5 days. To reheat place it in microwave on low heat mode for 30 seconds. Or in a covered pot/saucepan on lowest heat till just about warmed up.
More Recipes For Holidays
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Classic Mulled Wine Recipe
Equipment
- sauce pan
Ingredients
- 750 ml Red Wine
- ¼ cup Rum
- 1 Fresh orange
- ¾ cup Fresh Orange Juice
- 7 Cinnamon Sticks
- 7 star anise
- 10 Cloves
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Combine Mulled wine ingredients
- In a saucepan combine all the ingredients and mix them.
- Simmer
- After combining the ingredients, cover them with a lid. Now gently heat the wine over slow-medium heat. At this stage be careful to keep the temperature low as the wine begins to evaporate at higher temperatures.
- Simmer for 15 minutes and serve warm in mugs or wine glasses.
- To garnish place a cinnamon stick, a thin slice of orange and star anise. Enjoy!
- To make the best-mulled wine every time you make it follow these tips.
Video
Notes
- Choose your wine carefully: The best wine for mulled wine is Merlot, Zinfandel or any affordable bottle of dry red wine. Any mid-range priced dry red wine works fine. One red wine bottle of 750ml makes up to 5-6 servings of mulled wine.
- Mind the Temperature: Do not heat your mulled wine at a high temperature. Wine is delicate if you heat it at higher temperatures alcohol evaporates. Never heat the wine at the stage where it is simmering or bubbling.
Immediately after you mix the ingredients, cover the saucepan with a fitting lid. - Do Not Go overboard on Spices: Like every other dish when it comes to spices, less is more. Spices are potent and having tasted mulled wine with too many spices many a time I feel adding 2-3 of your favourites is best to spice the wine.
- To make mulled wine use only a non-reactive metal saucepan like an enamelled heavy-bottomed dutch oven, saucepan or stainless steel pot.
Thank you for sharing this recipe! It’s perfect for Aussie winters