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.