Mulled wine is a classic holiday drink that is perfect for warming up on cold winter nights. Made with red wine infused with warm spices, it’s the ultimate cozy drink. Enjoy a mug of mulled wine by the fireplace or at your next holiday gathering.
This recipe serves 6 and takes about 25 minutes to make. It’s easy to prepare and requires only a few simple ingredients. The combination of red wine, sugar, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and allspice creates a rich and aromatic drink.
To make mulled wine, combine all the ingredients in a large pot and heat over medium heat until it reaches a simmer. Be careful not to let it boil. Once it’s simmering, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
After simmering, strain out the cloves, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices. Serve the mulled wine hot in mugs and garnish with additional orange slices and cinnamon sticks, if desired.
Mulled wine has a long history that dates back to ancient Rome, where wine was heated and infused with spices to improve flavor and preserve it during colder months. As the Roman Empire expanded across Europe, the tradition spread and evolved, becoming especially popular in medieval times when expensive spices were added to wine as a sign of wealth and celebration. Over the centuries, it became closely associated with winter festivities and Christmas markets across Europe, where warm cups of spiced wine remain a beloved seasonal tradition today.
Mulled wine pairs beautifully with a variety of winter dishes and festive treats. It complements savory foods like roasted meats, sausages, and cheese boards, while its warm spices also enhance sweet desserts such as gingerbread, fruit cakes, and spiced cookies. The rich, aromatic flavors make it a perfect companion for cozy holiday meals and seasonal gatherings. Cheers to a warm and festive holiday season!
Ingredients
- 1 bottle red wine
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 orange sliced
- 8 cloves whole
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp nutmeg ground
- 1 tsp allspice ground
- slices orange Optional garnish
- sticks cinnamon Optional garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine the red wine, sugar, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches a simmer. Do not boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the wine simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Remove from heat and strain out the cloves, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices.
- Serve hot in mugs and garnish with additional orange slices and cinnamon sticks, if desired.
I added extra cloves because I just love them! Made it taste like Christmas in a cup! 10/10
Extra cloves? That sounds amazing! I love that festive touch. Looking forward to trying it! 🌟
I don’t know, sounds like too many cloves! Might overpower the wine. Keep it simple, I say.
Not gonna lie, I’m skeptical about nutmeg/allspice amounts. Mine came out a little strong on the spices, like Christmas candle vibes. Next time I’ll use slightly less nutmeg.
I made this, but forgot to take out the cloves 😬. Didn’t taste good. Not sure how you would forget that step, but I did.
My orange slices disappeared into the strainer so fast I barely saw them 😂 Still delicious though.
Wait—mine never sinks that fast. Are you simmering on low the whole time? Also I used too much nutmeg once and it was… not great lol.
Haha I know that feeling—orange slices turn into total flavor snacks once they hit the heat 😂 Glad it was still delicious!
This was delicious! Perfect for the holidays. Will make again!
Never thought I’d enjoy mulled wine, but this was a game changer! Just make sure to let it simmer long enough.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Mulled wine is the best on a cold night. I always add extra cinnamon, tastes even better.
I dunno, simmering for too long sounds risky. Might ruin the taste? Just a thought.
I tried it but I think I accidentally boiled it a bit at the start… the wine tasted a little harsh afterward. Also, straining is a must—cloves everywhere.
This is literally the easiest recipe ever. Just mix a bunch of stuff and heat it. 👍
I dunno, it was too sweet for me. Maybe I used too much sugar?
Yeah, I think the sugar can really make it sweet. I usually skip the added sugar altogether!
I followed exactly and it was good, but I think 20 minutes is short? The spices didn’t fully blend for me. Still drank it all though 😅
So I boiled it by accident (oops) and now it tastes kinda harsh. Maybe lower heat is real important. Otherwise idea is solid.
The instruction says strain out the cloves and cinnamon sticks—mine were hard to see, so I over-strained and lost some flavor. Next time I’ll be more careful.
I do this every time too 😅 The cloves vanish! I now use a little tea infuser for the cloves/cinnamon so I don’t have to guess.
Wait, strain only the cloves and cinnamon—why not leave them in? If you over-strain you’re just throwing away the best part. I’d try not to strain at all next time.
Not bad, but mine came out a little too sharp (probably my wine was dry). Next time I’ll use a touch more sugar or a smoother red.
Cloves + nutmeg can be overpowering. I measured like the recipe said but it leaned sharp for my taste. Still, my house smelled like Christmas.
Totally agree—nutmeg can jump out fast. I usually go a pinch, like way less than 1 tsp, and it still tastes great. Also glad it smelled like Christmas though 😄
I tried this and it was spicy/sharp too. I think the cloves might be too much? Next time I’ll cut cloves in half and use nutmeg like “sprinkle” not “tsp”. House still smells amazing anyway lol.
This is a scam. My wine tasted the same after making it…I think this doesn’t work!
Mulled wine rocks!! My family can’t get enough! Always a hit during the holidays! 🎉
Tasty but took longer to prepare than I thought it would. Sigh.
I don’t really get why you strain the cloves—like aren’t they supposed to stay in? I left them and it was… intense.
I tried it once and my kitchen smelled AMAZING. My guests asked what spice mix I used. I just smiled like I’m a wizard.
Easy recipe, and the spices really come through. I used a little less sugar and it still tasted rich—would make again for sure.
Totally agree—those spices really shine. I’ve made it twice and it stays super flavorful even with less sugar. Thanks for the tip!