Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine is one of those winter drinks that instantly warms the mood, even before you take the first sip. It fills the kitchen with a cozy blend of citrus, spices, and gentle sweetness, creating the kind of aroma that makes you want to wrap yourself in a blanket and slow down for a moment. This version captures all the depth and comfort of traditional mulled wine, only without alcohol, so everyone at the table can enjoy it.
At the heart of this drink is dark grape juice, which delivers a rich, wine-like base. When it simmers with oranges, lemons, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise, the flavor transforms into something deeper and rounder. The spices bloom slowly as they heat, creating layers of warmth that feel instantly festive. A touch of honey softens the edges, while fresh ginger adds a mild kick that keeps the drink lively rather than overly sweet.
One of the best things about non-alcoholic mulled wine is how customizable it is. If you prefer a brighter citrus note, add extra orange slices. If you want something richer, mix grape juice with a bit of pomegranate or cranberry juice for extra depth. Spices can also be adjusted. More cinnamon gives a sweeter profile, while additional cloves bring stronger, earthy warmth.
This drink is a wonderful option for holiday dinners, family gatherings, or work celebrations where you want something seasonal that everyone can enjoy. Serve it in heatproof glasses or mugs, and add a cinnamon stick or an orange wheel for a little extra charm. It’s also great for making ahead. The flavors become even better after a few hours in the fridge, and you can gently reheat it whenever you’re ready to serve.
Whether you are hosting a party or simply winding down at home, non-alcoholic mulled wine brings comfort and a sense of celebration to any winter moment. It tastes festive, feels soothing, and makes even the coldest evenings feel a bit more welcoming.
Ingredients
- 1 litre apple juice Use unsweetened for best results.
- 500 ml cranberry juice Can substitute with pomegranate juice if desired.
- 1 orange Sliced
- 1 stick cinnamon Can add more to taste.
- 5 cloves Whole cloves best.
- 2 tablespoons honey Adjust sweetness as needed.
- 1 star anise Optional for extra flavor.
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine the apple juice and cranberry juice over medium heat.
- Add the sliced orange, cinnamon stick, cloves, honey, and star anise to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Strain the mixture to remove spices and serve hot.
Nutrition
Yummy! Definitely making this again! 😊
This is so good! Perfect for the holidays! 🌟
Tried it once, but it was too sweet for me. I think less honey next time.
Not sure about mulled wine without wine, but this actually tastes nice! I added some ginger.
It was ok but the cloves were too strong. Next time I’ll skip them.
Honestly I expected it to be stronger, like actual mulled wine. Could just be my juice brands though. Still drinkable!
I used cherry juice instead and it was a disaster! Lol, won’t be trying this again.
This is cozy in a cup. I used unsweetened apple juice like it says and it tasted perfectly spiced without being too sweet.
That sounds exactly right—unsweetened juice really makes the spices shine without turning it into dessert. Cozy indeed! 🍊
Not bad at all, but my apple juice was already sweet so I only used 1 tbsp honey. If you’re using unsweetened, the 2 tbsp feels right.
This smells amazing while it simmers—like holiday season in a mug. I used less honey since my cranberry juice was already pretty tart, and it turned out perfect.
I didn’t have star anise, so I left it out. Still tasted great—just a little less complex, but totally fine.
Five stars for vibes. I let it simmer 30 minutes and it turned out too spicy at first, but adding a splash more apple juice fixed it.
This mulled wine is AMAZING! I love how cozy it makes the house smell. Perfect for winter nights!
Soo easy to make. I let it simmer longer and added some nutmeg. It’s a hit!
It’s alright, but I think it could use a bit more cinnamon. Just my opinion, tho.
I totally agree! A little more cinnamon would make it even better. Love this recipe!
This is the easiest “fancy drink” ever. I doubled the cinnamon and it felt like a café version.
Five stars. Easy, fast, and no alcohol needed. My kid asked for “spice juice” again lol.
I thought it would taste more like the ones with wine. It’s good but different.
Tried substituting pomegranate for cranberry—nice color, but less tangy. Still good though. Added a tiny pinch of ginger and it really helped.
Mulled wine without alcohol? I dunno, sounds weird. But hey, worth a try.
I’ve tried it, and it’s actually quite good! You just gotta let it simmer well, trust me!
I don’t usually measure honey, but I think 2 tbsp was perfect. The simmering time of 20 minutes seems just right—didn’t get bitter.
Not bad at all for a non-alcoholic version. I simmered the full 20 minutes and it actually tastes “mulled” instead of just juice. Could be a touch sweeter—mine was a little tart.
Tried this for a cozy movie night—so good. The orange + cinnamon combo smells amazing, and it tastes like the holidays without the alcohol.
Way too much honey for my taste. Next time I’ll start with 1 tablespoon and adjust. Also I simmered longer than 20 min and it got kinda strong.
One star anise is optional? I put two and now it tastes like perfume. But the color is pretty. 😅
Quick and easy recipe! Used pomegranate juice and added some ginger. Loved it!
Honestly? It’s fine, but it’s not the same as mulled wine. No bitterness, no alcohol depth. If you want “winter vibes,” sure.
Yeah I get what you mean. I’ve made it and it tastes more like spiced cider than true mulled wine—still cozy though. Next time I might add a splash of apple cider vinegar or extra cloves for that “bite.”
Ehh. I forgot the star anise and it still came out kinda bland. Also my orange slices floated and I didn’t stir enough. 2 stars? No—idk, it’s drinkable.
This is the best thing I have ever tasted! I added more clove and orange skin, yum!
This is so delicious! Perfect for cold nights. Will definitely make again!
Not bad. I replaced honey with brown sugar. Not sure if it was a great idea but it was okay.
Brown sugar? Really? I think honey adds a unique flavor that you might miss. But glad it still turned out okay!
You can’t make wine without alcohol! What’s the point? Just drink juice.
Who’s drinking mulled wine without alcohol? LOL!
I tried this and was honestly disappointed. Tasted too much like juice, not enough spice.
I don’t have any of those fancy ingredients. Can I just use grape juice and sugar instead? 🤔
Way too sweet for me, and I only used 1 tbsp honey. Still, the spice blend is solid and the color looks beautiful.
Maybe your apple juice was sweet too? I used unsweetened apple juice and only 2 tbsp honey total, and it was plenty sweet. Also—did you simmer the whole time? Longer simmer can make it taste sweeter.
Thanks for sharing! I agree—honey can go from “just right” to “too sweet” fast. Next time I’ll start with 1 tbsp like you did and add only if needed.
Yum! This brings back memories of with my family during Christmas time!
Smelled AMAZING while simmering. I didn’t strain the spices (lazy moment) and it was still decent—just “spice-forward.”
I always forget to strain too 😅. “Spice-forward” is a nice way to say it—mine gets a little intense with the cloves.
Honestly this sounds so good—mulled vibes without the alcohol. I love that it still worked even without straining!
This recipe is amazing! I made it for a holiday party, and everyone loved it. Will definitely make again. 😊
I dunno, made it last night and didn’t care for it. My hubby liked it tho.
That’s too bad! Maybe you used too much cinnamon or didn’t let it simmer long enough? Glad your hubby liked it though!
Kinda bland? I used pomegranate instead of cranberry and maybe it needs more cinnamon/cloves. The orange flavor was there, but not enough punch for me.
I tried pomegranate juice sub and it turned out sour-er? maybe my brand. Still drank it lol, just needed more honey.
That totally makes sense—pomegranate juice can be way more tart/bright than cranberry. If you only had to add honey, you basically nailed the fix. Next time maybe try half-and-half or warm it longer to mellow the acidity.
I swear the “pomegranate” stuff I buy is like straight up sour lol. But honestly if it’s sour, honey is the answer. Also did you simmer it on low or just heat it up quick? That might change the taste a lot.
I followed it pretty closely, but I think 20 minutes was a bit too long? The spices got stronger than I like. Next time I’ll simmer closer to 10-15.
I didn’t have star anise so I just left it out—still good, but maybe a little less “wow.” Still would make again.
Tried this tonight—so cozy. The orange + cinnamon combo tastes way more “mulled” than I expected from just juice. I used a little extra honey and it was perfect.
This seems like it’s basically warm juice with spices. I wanted more complexity. The honey helps, but I’m not convinced it needs 20 minutes simmering—maybe 10 would be enough.
I get what you mean—mine is definitely on the “warm spiced juice” side too. But simmering 20 minutes really helps the orange oils and spices bloom. If you shorten it to ~10, I think it’ll still be good, just less deep.
Nah, 20 min is too much for juice. I tried 5-10 and honestly it tasted basically the same to me. Maybe it depends on how strong your cloves are though.
I simmered a bit longer than 20 minutes because I got distracted and it turned super aromatic but also slightly bitter. Watch the cloves!
Pretty good! I followed it pretty much exactly, but I think 20 minutes is too long for the cloves—mine tasted a bit sharp. Still drank it all though.
Thanks! I’m glad it still turned out good for you. I’ve noticed cloves can get sharp if they simmer too long—maybe next time try 10–15 minutes or use fewer cloves.
Okay, I was skeptical about using apple + cranberry, but wow. The cinnamon/cloves make it taste way more “spiced wine” than I expected. Will make again.
I used pomegranate instead of cranberry and it still worked. Next time I’ll add a touch more honey since mine came out a little tart.
I followed it but I think my cloves were too strong? Like, overpowering. Also I didn’t strain well and the spices kinda ruined the texture. Still, flavor was there.
Not a fan of the star anise, I might skip that next time. Overall it was good though.
I loved the star anise! It gave it a unique twist! 😊
I didn’t like it either. Too strong flavor for me. Just stick with the cinnamon! 😬
I don’t know… apple juice + cranberry juice + honey is more like warm juice than mulled wine. Still tasty, just not the vibe I thought.
Yummy drink! My kids enjoyed it too.
I’m glad your kids loved it! It’s a perfect drink for family gatherings.
I don’t like apple juice much, so skipped it. Do you think grape juice would work?
Not sure I’m doing something wrong… I simmered and it tasted kinda flat, like warm juice with spices. Maybe I strained too early? Either way, needs more cinnamon maybe.
Maybe you strained too early—also if you used pre-ground cloves or something, it’ll taste weak. I keep mine in for the whole simmer, then strain at the end. More cinnamon + a little extra honey usually fixes it for me.
Hmm sounds like you nailed the simmer part, but “warm juice with spices” usually means it didn’t get enough time for the spices to bloom. Next time, simmer closer to 20–30 min on low (not a full boil). Also, don’t be shy with the cinnamon—another half to a full stick can help.
Made it for a small holiday get-together and everyone asked for the recipe. The orange + cinnamon combo is amazing.
That’s exactly the vibe I’m going for—orange + cinnamon is such a cozy combo. Glad it was a hit!
Nice! I used pomegranate juice once and it was really good, so I might try that swap again. Did you strain it or serve with the orange slices?
I tried this and it was too sweet for my taste. Don’t know what I did wrong.
Loved it!!! Perfect for family gatherings without the alcohol. Will make again!
Doesn’t taste like wine at all, but my kids loved it! So 3 stars for them.
I’m glad your kids enjoyed it! Sometimes it’s about what they like anyway. 🎉
But like, it’s not supposed to taste like wine tho. It’s mulled juice! 😂
Absolutely love this recipe! Perfect for the holidays.
This recipe sounds amazing! Perfect for cozy nights and it’s alcohol-free too, yay!
Tried it but found it way too sweet. Maybe less honey next time?
Hot juice? No thanks. Just stick with normal apple juice.
Hot juice is actually super cozy in winter! You might want to give it a try. 🥰
Tried it, but I think it’s missing something. Maybe a little more spice? Not sure if I would make it again.
Is it really a mulled wine if it has no wine??? Just sayin’
Actually, it’s a great alternative for those who don’t drink! Love it!
Mine was kinda bland until I simmered a little longer. Also, I forgot to strain the cloves at first… don’t do that 😅
I made it for guests and everyone asked for the recipe. It’s basically holiday in a mug. Next time I’ll add ginger too.
Wife liked it better than regular mulled wine! Haha I guess that’s a win. 👍
Yummy!! Best part was the orange slices. My kitchen smelled so good I actually cleaned while it cooked lol.
Cleaning while cooking is always a win 😅 I’ve been afraid to use cloves before—do they get too strong after 20 min or is it balanced with the honey?
That sounds amazing—orange slices really do make it smell like the holidays. Love that you cleaned while it simmered 😂
Made this tonight—so cozy. The orange + cloves combo smells AMAZING. I used a little extra cinnamon and it was perfect. Next time I’ll add the star anise too.
Easy recipe! Used pomegranate juice instead and it turned out great. 😍
Not sure about star anise—mine tasted a bit like licorice. If you like that flavor, then it’s great.
Yum! Perfect for cold nights. My kids can’t get enough of it! ❤️
Super easy and cozy, but I used sweetened apple juice by accident and it was almost cloying. If you sweeten anyway, keep the honey really light or skip it.
Star anise is optional but I used it and wow—adds this fancy licorice note. I know some people don’t like that, but I loved it.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical that apple + cranberry would taste like mulled wine… but it really does. Tastes like holiday season.
Totally get the skepticism—apple + cranberry sounds like it could be weird. But the orange + cloves combo is exactly what makes it taste “mulled.” Gonna try with less honey next time.