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.
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.
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!
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!
I added a splash of brandy and it was AMAZING!! ☕🍷
Easy peasy. I followed exactly and it came out warm, sweet, and smooth. The straining step is key—cloves in your teeth is not the vibe.
Haha “cloves in your teeth” is so real 😅 Glad it turned out smooth for you—straining makes a huge difference.
Tasty, but I thought 1/4 cup sugar might be a little much depending on the wine. Also I accidentally boiled it once (oops) and it got a bit bitter. Still drinkable though!
I hate spicey stuff so this no good for me. 🙁
This mulled wine recipe is amazing! I made it for a holiday party and everyone loved it. Definitely a keeper! 🍷
So glad to hear it was a hit! Mulled wine is perfect for holidays. Cheers! 🥳
I don’t know… Is this even real wine? Seems too easy. Don’t you need more ingredients or time? 🤔
3 stars bc my orange slices floated everywhere and I didn’t strain them well. But the taste was still warm and comforting, so… yeah.
Aw man, I’ve totally had that happen—orange slices float no matter what 😅 Next time I’ll press them down in the pot for a bit and definitely strain more carefully.
it was ok, but not the best. I think it needed more spices.
Is it just me, or is this too sweet? I think I’ll cut down the sugar next time. 😕
I thought it was perfect! But I guess taste is subjective. Maybe less sugar will help? 🤔
Too sweet? Nah, it’s mulled wine! It’s supposed to be festive! Try adding some lemon maybe.
This is the best mulled wine recipe I’ve ever tried! SO cozy and euphoric! 😍
Yum! My whole fam loved it. Mulled wine for life!
That’s awesome to hear! Mulled wine is such a cozy drink for winter nights. Cheers to more family fun!
This mulled wine is simply divine! Perfect for cold nights. I added a hint of ginger, and it was delicious!
Not sure about this recipe. Can you really taste the ginger or is it just for show?
I never thought of adding ginger! I’ll try that next time. Great idea!
Turned out really nice, but I think my pot ran too hot. I almost boiled it (whoops) and the flavor got a bit harsher. Still drinkable though.
Good catch! Mulled wine is super sensitive—once it starts boiling it can turn more bitter/harsh fast. Next time try keeping it just at a gentle simmer (tiny bubbles only), and if you see it getting aggressive, pull it off the heat for a minute and resume low.
Good flavor, but the sugar amount feels low to me for a full bottle. I added another couple tablespoons and it tasted more balanced.
Mulled wine forever! 🍷❤️
Isnt mulled wine supposed to be made with white wine?? Seems wrong.
I followed it exactly and it was… okay. The flavor is nice but I wanted more sweetness. Next time I’ll use a bit more sugar or maybe honey.