Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (2024)

Published: by Lexi

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This gorgeous, warming, easy-to-make citrus mulled wine is spiced with cinnamon, cloves, star anise and cardamom. It's mulled with apple cider, maple syrup, brandy and plenty of citrus for the perfect comforting holiday co*cktail.

Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (1)

Want to instantly make your entire house smell like Christmas? Make this mulled wine.

Seriously, what better holiday aroma than citrus + warming spices like cinnamon and cloves + pear + apple + red wine + maple syrup? It's like 15 different candles all in one.

Mulled wine is easy to make and such a delicious treat. It's perfect for slow sipping while baking holiday cookies (it's especially perfect with these raspberry Linzer cookies!).

Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (2)

Haven't made mulled wine before? Here are a few things you should know.

What is mulled wine?

Mulled wine is an alcoholic beverage made with warmed red wine and various mulling spices. It's a popular drink during the holiday season, especially at Christmas markets in Europe.

Mulled wine is also known as Glühwein in Germany, Glögg in Nordic countries and several other variations across the world. (I'll admit, I indulged in quite a bit of Glühwein while studying abroad in Berlin in college!)

Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (3)

Mulled wine tastes fruity, sweet, spiced, and warming. Though the mixture is heated, it is not boiled, so it still contains alcohol.

What kind of wine is best?

You'll want to use a fruity, full-bodied red wine that will stand up to all of the additional spices/flavors. We love to use a good quality bottle of Pinot Noir, but other options include Shiraz and Merlot.

We always recommend using a wine you would actually drink on its own. Don't go cheap just because you're adding other ingredients –a bad wine won't improve with extra flavors. There's also no need to splurge on a top-notch bottle – go for an everyday wine.

Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (4)

What you'll need to make mulled wine:

  • 1 bottle of red wine
  • Apple cider: unlike apple juice, raw apple cider does not contain any preservatives or added sweeteners. In the US, you can typically find it in more grocery stores (or local cider mills) from September-January. (Note: it's not the same as hard cider, which contains alcohol)
  • Orange juice: freshly squeezed always tastes best, but if you use store-bought, opt for 100%, no sugar added juice.
  • Brandy: you can also use cognac, bourbon, whiskey or even port.
  • Maple syrup: pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup!
  • Cinnamon: whole cinnamon sticks are best here.
  • Whole Cloves
  • Cardamom: whole cardamom pods are best. Feel free to leave out if you don't like the flavor.
  • Star anise: optional
  • Citrus slices: we use a mixture of blood orange and tangerine, but you can use just about any variety.
  • Pear or apple: we prefer pear slices, but apple work well, too!
  • For garnish: cranberries and pomegranate seeds
Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (5)

Nonalcoholic version

Not drinking at the moment, or want to serve a fun nonalcoholic version for your kids? Substitute the red wine and brandy with more apple cider for a delicious, perfectly spiced apple cider. All of the flavor, none of the alcohol!

Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (6)

How to make mulled wine

This spiced citrus mulled wine truly couldn't be easier to make.

Add the wine, cider, brandy and maple syrup to a stock pot over medium-low heat and whisk well.

Add the cinnamon, cloves, star anise, cardamom, one sliced orange and one sliced pear. Bring to a very gentle simmer but do not let the mixture boil, otherwise the alcohol will cook out.

Stir every 10 minutes or so and simmer at low heat for one hour (or up to 3 hours). Remove spices and mulled fruit (it's easiest to do so by straining the liquid through a fine mesh sieve into another pot).

Add in cranberries, pomegranate and another sliced orange and pear. Let infuse for 10-15 minutes at low heat, then serve warm. Cheers!

Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (7)

Storage

Let the mulled wine cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through.

More winter co*cktail recipes:

  • Hot Apple Cider co*cktail
  • Cranberry Orange Mimosa
  • Blood Orange Kombucha Margaritas
  • How To Make Infused Liquors (DIY Holiday Gift)
  • Cranberry Orange Whiskey co*cktail
Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (8)

If you make this spiced citrus mulled wine recipe, we’d love for you to leave a comment and rating below! We also love to see your creations on Instagram – tag us at @crowded_kitchen so we can see what you’ve been cooking.

Print

Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (9)

Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

4.7 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Lexi
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 6-8 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This gorgeous, warming, easy-to-make citrus mulled wine is spiced with cinnamon, cloves, star anise and cardamom. It's mulled with apple cider, maple syrup, brandy and plenty of citrus for the perfect comforting holiday co*cktail.

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 1 bottle of good quality, fruity red wine (Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Merlot, etc)*
  • 1 ½ cups apple cider*
  • 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed or no sugar added store-bought)
  • ½ cup brandy
  • cup maple syrup
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tsp whole cloves
  • 1-2 whole star anise pods (optional)
  • 2 cardamom pods
  • 2 blood oranges, sliced
  • 2 pears, sliced
  • -½ cup pomegranate seeds
  • cup fresh cranberries (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add the wine, cider, orange juice, brandy and maple syrup to a stock pot over medium-low heat and whisk well.
  2. Add the cinnamon, cloves, star anise, cardamom, one sliced orange and one sliced pear. Bring to a very gentle simmer but do not let the mixture boil, otherwise the alcohol will cook out.
  3. Stir every 10 minutes or so and simmer at low heat for one hour (or up to 3 hours). Remove spices and mulled fruit (it's easiest to do so by straining the liquid through a fine mesh sieve into another pot).
  4. Add in cranberries, pomegranate and another sliced orange and pear. Let infuse for 10-15 minutes at low heat, then serve warm. Cheers!

Notes

*We always recommend using a wine you would actually drink on its own. Don't go cheap just because you're adding other ingredients – a bad wine won't improve with extra flavors. There's also no need to splurge on a top-notch bottle – go for an everyday wine.

*Unlike apple juice, raw apple cider does not contain any preservatives or added sweeteners. In the US, you can typically find it in more grocery stores (or local cider mills) from September-January. (Note: it's not the same as hard cider, which contains alcohol).

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: co*cktails
  • Method: Stovetop

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 large glass
  • Calories: 382
  • Sugar: 39.5 g
  • Sodium: 21.6 mg
  • Fat: 0.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 71.1 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 1.5 g
Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (10)
Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between mulled wine and spiced wine? ›

Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is an alcoholic drink usually made with red wine, along with various mulling spices and sometimes raisins, served hot or warm. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas.

How do you serve mulled wine for a party? ›

Right Temperature: Serve mulled wine warm, but not too hot. Aim for a temperature that's comfortable to sip, similar to a warm cup of tea. Appropriate Glassware: Use heat-resistant glasses or mugs. Traditional glass wine goblets might crack with the heat, so opt for thicker, sturdier glasses or even festive mugs.

How do you jazz up a bottle of mulled wine? ›

How to garnish mulled wine
  1. Drop in a cinnamon stick.
  2. Drop in an orange slice.
  3. Dot cloves into orange peels and drop the studded peel in.
  4. Drop in whole spices (like star anise)
  5. Drop in a few cherries or brightly-coloured berries.
Nov 5, 2022

Can you cook mulled wine for too long? ›

One important thing to remember when making your mulled wine – don't boil or heat it for too long! You'll cook off all the alcohol and be left with tasty but boozeless mulled grape juice.

Can you get drunk mulled wine? ›

Mulled wine still has a high alcohol and sugar content, so you should be aware of how much you're consuming. 'People often think that because it's been heated it's less alcoholic, but only a small amount actually evaporates,' explains Dr Lee.

Can I use cheap wine for mulled wine? ›

Use cheap wine. Don't break out a special bottle for this. Cooking the wine will change it: Some of the alcohol blows off (hence the need for added brandy), the wine may taste more acidic (hence the need for added sugar) and any of its delicate, nuanced aromas will become largely undetectable.

How do you keep mulled wine warm for a party? ›

Serving a party? Keep the mulled wine nice and warm by placing it in a slow cooker on “warm.” If the wine will be out for more than two hours, I recommend removing the whole spices so that they don't make the wine bitter.

What food goes best with mulled wine? ›

While it's a nice drink to imbibe on its own, it's always more fun to think of pairings. Truthfully, mulled wine pairs well with everything from roast beef or sausage to cheese platters. Miller loves to take comforting, classic meat and potato dishes and throw in Filipino twists.

How do you keep mulled wine warm at a party? ›

To keep the wine warm, leave the slow cooker on the “Keep Warm” setting. If your slow cooker does not have a warm setting, alternate between “Low” and “Off.” TO STORE: Let your mulled wine cool completely, then pour it into an airtight storage container and place it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How do you pimp up shop bought mulled wine? ›

Gently melt some chocolate together with orange, mulled wine spices, a touch of sugar and some cocoa powder. Add your Christkindl mulled wine along with a splash of Cointreau and you're in for a boozy treat.

How do you make shop bought mulled wine better? ›

Serve them in little glass cups with handles, add a bit of orange peel and nobody will know that you didn't make it yourself. And finally, whether you're buying it in or making it yourself, a glug of port, sloe gin or even rum before serving will lift the whole thing.

How do you serve store bought mulled wine? ›

It should be served hot, but never boiled

It makes the beverage very pleasant to drink on a cold winter's day. But hot doesn't mean boiling, and boiling your mulled wine is something you should avoid at all costs.

Why does my mulled wine taste bad? ›

You need to infuse the wine long enough with the spices to take on their flavour but DON'T ON ANY ACCOUNT LET THE MIXTURE BOIL as you'll be left with a bitter taste. Slow and low is the way to go. And it shouldn't be served piping hot, just comfortably - and comfortingly - warm.

Why shouldn't you boil mulled wine? ›

Unfortunately, you can't get there without burning the wine badly. To get even close to zero alcohol, you have to boil for so long that the sugars will caramelize and start to burn and blacken, while the tannins that flavor the wine will have broken down completely, creating strong negative flavors of turned wine.

What wine is best for mulled wine? ›

The best red wine to use for mulled wine is Merlot, Zinfandel or Garnacha (also called Grenache). These wines are dark, fruity and full bodied, which means they can support all of the flavors we'll be adding. Look for labels that describe the wine as “jammy” or with “notes of vanilla.”

What is spiced wine? ›

Mulled Wine, sometimes referred to as Spiced Wine, refers to wine, most often of a red variety, infused with various fruits and spices then served warm. This traditional European drink is quite popular around the holidays and is synonymous with Christmas markets all around the world.

What is spiced wine called? ›

Mulled wine goes by many names—spiced wine, hot wine, glögg, glühwein, and vin chaud are a few I hear used interchangeably. As far as I know, they all essentially refer to the same drink, although the spices and booze of choice may vary depending on the region.

What's another word for spiced wine? ›

This traditional homemade mulled wine recipe is incredibly easy to make and always SO cozy and delicious. Also known as glühwein, vino caliente, glögg, vin brulé, bisschopswijn, vin chaud, candola, vinho quente…or literally a hundred other names, depending on where in the world life may find you.

What is special about mulled wine? ›

Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is an alcoholic drink usually made with red wine, along with various mulling spices and sometimes raisins, served hot or warm. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Stevie Stamm

Last Updated:

Views: 5899

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Stevie Stamm

Birthday: 1996-06-22

Address: Apt. 419 4200 Sipes Estate, East Delmerview, WY 05617

Phone: +342332224300

Job: Future Advertising Analyst

Hobby: Leather crafting, Puzzles, Leather crafting, scrapbook, Urban exploration, Cabaret, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is Stevie Stamm, I am a colorful, sparkling, splendid, vast, open, hilarious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.