Mulled Wine Recipe: How to Make Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is a warm alcoholic beverage made by steaming red wine and brandy together with whole mulling spices. Other names for this warm beverage that you can find at holiday and Christmas markets worldwide include “glühwein,” “vin chaud,” “vino caliente,” “glögg,” and spiced wine. This recipe combines the classic flavors of orange, cinnamon, and anise with wine and brandy for a satisfying, crowd-friendly cocktail that will warm your guests up in no time.

Mulled wine provides endless possibilities for combining wines, liqueurs, fruits, sweeteners, and spices. Here are some of the most popular variations of mulled wine.

1. 1. Apple-cinnamon mulled wine: Incorporate sliced apples, organic apple cider, and maple syrup in your mulled wine, along with warm spices like whole cloves, allspice, and cardamom pods for fall-friendly mulled wine.
2. 2. Cranberry mulled wine: Add fresh cranberries, cranberry juice, and rosemary to your mulled wine for some tart and sweet cranberry flavor.
3. 3. Ginger mulled wine: Incorporate candied, fresh, or ground ginger into your hot wine for a sweet-and-spicy winter beverage.
4. 4. Non-alcoholic mulled wine: Swap the wine for high-quality grape juice to create a party beverage that underaged and alcohol-abstaining guests can enjoy.
5. 5. Rosé mulled wine: Those who prefer a middle ground between red and white will enjoy swapping the traditional red wine for mulled rosé wine.
6. 6. Slow-cooker mulled wine: Make your mulled wine in a slow-cooker for complex flavor and to ensure the beverage will stay at the right temperature for the duration of your party. Be sure to check the wine occasionally to ensure that the liquid isn’t simmering, which will cause the alcohol to evaporate.
7. 7. White mulled wine: You can swap out the traditional red wine in this recipe for a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay.

This crowd-friendly beverage is suitable for mixologists of all levels. Follow these tips to craft the best mulled wine:

1. 1. Pick the right wine. The best bases for mulled wine are full-bodied and fruity red wines, like with sangria. Popular options for mulled wine include Merlot, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel, which are all suitably dark and jammy for this warm beverage. Select a bottle of wine with an affordable, mid-range price tag.
2. 2. Use a slow cooker. For a hands-free cocktail that will stay warm all night, prepare your mulled wine in a slow cooker. Simply add all ingredients (except the fresh fruit) to the cooker and heat on low for a few hours before serving it to your guests.
3. 3. Monitor the wine as it cooks. Keep a close eye on your mulled wine during the cooking process. Allowing the wine to reach a boil, or cook for too long on high heat, will result in the alcohol evaporating.
4. 4. Strain the spices, or use a teabag. Serve this party-friendly beverage with the whole spices floating on top of the wine, or place your whole spices in a reusable tea bag (or two) before placing them in the pot. Strain the wine after the seeping period to remove the whole spices before serving.

You can serve mulled wine in any heat-resistant drinking vessel, but a clear heat-proof mug will keep the drink warm while showing off the drink’s festive color. Keep the mulled wine warm in-between servings by storing it in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a lid over low heat on the stovetop.

This seasonal beverage is also an excellent canvas for a variety of garnishes. Add fresh or dried fruit—like orange and lemon slices, cranberries, apples, and pears—to the wine before serving it. Garnish the serving glasses with a sugar rim or sugar stir stick, an orange peel, and a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme.