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

Published: by Lexi

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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!).

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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!)

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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.

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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
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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!

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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!

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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
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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.

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

Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine

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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

Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen? ›

Modern day mulled wine is typically sweeter than its 'spiced wine' predecessors, as it tends to use more fruit juice to help tune out the overwhelming acidity and spice.

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

Modern day mulled wine is typically sweeter than its 'spiced wine' predecessors, as it tends to use more fruit juice to help tune out the overwhelming acidity and spice.

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

Here are a few fun ways to garnish the 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

How much mulling spices per bottle of wine? ›

Mulling Spices

Each recommended using about a tablespoon of mulling spice per 750 ml bottle of wine, which I toasted briefly in a skillet before adding to the wine.

How to serve mulled wine at 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.

Does it matter what wine you use for mulled wine? ›

The Best Wine for Mulled Wine

The best wines for mulled wine are richly fruity, medium-bodied ones with little oak aging, because these stand up to the bold sweetness and spice of the hot drink without tasting too tannic. For example, try a Chilean Merlot, a Zinfandel from California or a Grenache from Spain.

What kind of 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.”

Can you drink mulled wine straight from the bottle? ›

Yes. Even though the spiced wine is heated, most of the alcohol remains.

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.

Does the alcohol cook out of mulled wine? ›

The heat used in mulling encourages greater flavours from the citrus and the spices but also reduces the alcohol content, hence the common addition of a slug of spirit or liqueur just before serving.

Can you use cheap wine for mulled wine? ›

Mulled Wine Ingredients:

Wine: No need to splurge on a pricey bottle — a mid-range bottle of dry red or white wine will do. (Or if you're making a big batch, this is a great recipe to break out a nicer boxed wine too!)

Should you use cheap wine for mulled wine? ›

Leftover wine, boxed wine, $6 wine — that's all fine here. But if you're putting some thought into it, opt for a fuller-bodied, lower-tannin red. Mulled wine is not a delicate beverage, so I wouldn't choose a delicate wine like Pinot Noir or Gamay as the base.

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.

Do you serve mulled wine in a glass? ›

Mugs are not only perfectly acceptable for serving mulled wine, they're arguably the optimal choice. A typical wine glass is made of relatively thin glass, so if you put a hot beverage in it, they're going to be difficult to hold, especially if they're stemless.

Do you serve mulled wine before or after dinner? ›

DO YOU SERVE MULLED WINE BEFORE OR AFTER DINNER? There are no rules when it comes to the best time to serve mulled wine. Enjoy a mug mid-afternoon on a cold winter's day, share it with friends around the barbeque while waiting for the sausages to sizzle, or dunk in a ginger snap for a warming late evening wind down.

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 do Americans call mulled wine? ›

Most commonly “mulled wine” in English-speaking North America (more on “mulled” later), it is vin chaud or hot wine in French. In German-speaking countries, you would most likely encounter the popular winter beverage Glühwein, describing hot, spiced wine as glowing or smoldering.

How is mulled wine different? ›

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.

Do you heat up spiced wine? ›

The beauty of mulled wine is in your ability to try out the older spices at the back of your cupboards in new and exciting ways. After creating your delicious concoction, warm the mixture slowly over low heat. Be sure not to bring your pot to a boil, as that will boil away all the alcohol.

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