Jack and I may not always get around to putting up the Christmas tree, but we do love to celebrate the holiday season by making this mulled wine recipe. Packed with notes of citrus, apple, and warming spices, it’s cozy and festive – the perfect defense against Chicago’s winter weather. Colorful garnishes like orange slices, cranberries, and fresh rosemary make it even more cheery. With a mug of it in hand, I forget that it’s cold outside in an instant! If you’ve never made mulled wine before, you’re in for a treat. It’s not only a) delicious and b) super simple to make, but it also makes your kitchen smell amazing. The heady, spiced aroma on its own is reason enough to make it! I originally developed this mulled wine recipe a few years back, with holiday entertaining in mind. If you – like us – aren’t serving a crowd this year, feel free to scale it down. Jack and I usually make a half recipe. Technically, that amount should serve 3, but the hot wine is so warming and flavorful that we always go back for seconds.
Mulled Wine Recipe Ingredients
Ready to make mulled wine? Here’s what you’ll need:
Wine, of course! – Look for a dry red wine such as merlot. No need to break the bank here – because you’ll be adding so much to the wine, an inexpensive, but still decent, bottle will work just fine. Fresh oranges – I simmer the wine with the zest and juice of 1/2 orange, and I always serve it with orange slices for garnish. Apple cider – Instead of adding sugar to this recipe, I sweeten it naturally with apple cider. I love the way its sweet and tangy flavor plays off the spices, wine, and orange juice. Mulling spices – Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise infuse the mulled wine with rich, warm flavor. Ginger juice – I list it as optional (the recipe is still great without it!), but add it if you can. It gives the mulled wine a delicious spicy kick. Festive garnishes – No, you don’t have to garnish your glass with fresh rosemary and cranberries, but I hope you do. 🙂 They make this mulled wine extra festive and pretty.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is SO darn easy to make! Here’s what you need to do: First, prepare the orange. Use a vegetable peeler to slice 3-4 strips of zest off half of the orange. Slice the other half into rounds, and reserve them for garnish. Then, simmer. Combine the wine, apple cider, orange peel, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, and juice from the zested orange half in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a low simmer (careful not to let it boil!). Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-30 more minutes. Finally, taste and adjust. Don’t skip this step! The secret to making the best mulled wine is adjusting the flavor to your liking. Add the ginger juice, if using, and taste. If you want your wine sweeter, add more apple cider. If you want it more spiced, add extra cinnamon, cloves, and/or star anise and let it simmer on the stove for another 15 minutes. Once you love the flavor, remove the spiced wine from the heat. Strain it to remove the spices, orange peel, and any separated apple cider solids. Pour into mugs, and enjoy! Cheers, friends!
More Favorite Holiday Recipes
Feeling festive? Celebrate the season with one of these holiday recipes next:
Easy Sugar Cookies Thumbprint Cookies Molasses Cookies Lemon Shortbread Cookies Healthy Hot Chocolate Baked Brie with Pomegranates Stuffed Mushrooms Cinnamon Rolls
