This delicious Mulled Wine is so easy to make and perfect for cozy nights in or your next holiday party. Plus, it fills your home with the perfect holiday fragrance. You can either make it on the stovetop or in the Crock Pot!
If you want to make a classic holiday drink for a party or just because you can’t go wrong with mulled wine. It’s a warm wine drink that is flavored with spices, citrus, brandy, and sweetened with a little honey. It is the best drink for the holiday season!
The added bonus for making a batch of mulled wine during the holidays is that it makes your house smell amazing! When it’s simmering, you get the aroma of orange, cinnamon, and other scents that will get you in the holiday spirit.
Why This Recipe Works
- This is an easy recipe with just seven ingredients.
- I’m showing you how to make it on the stove or in your crockpot or slow cooker!
- This is the best drink for serving a crowd. You can make a big batch and keep it warm on the stove or in the slow cooker and let your guests help themselves.
Pair this drink with some delicious appetizers for your upcoming holiday celebrations! It will be a hit.
Ingredients
The best wine for mulled wine is a dry red wine like a cabernet, merlot, or malbec. Pinot noir can also work well.
You will also need orange slices.
For the spices, use a combo of cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves. Using whole spices (not ground) will work best. Or you can use a mix of mulling spices which work well, too.
Some honey adds a little sweetness.
A little brandy pairs great with the wine for an extra boozy kick.
Products Needed
How to Make it on the Stove
Combine the wine, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, and honey in a large saucepan.
Heat the mulled wine over medium-high heat until it starts to lightly simmer. Be careful to not let it boil because you don’t want the alcohol to cook off.
Adjust the heat to low and cover the pan. Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes. Stir in brandy after 30 minutes.
How to Make it in a Crockpot
Combine all of the ingredients except for the brandy in your crockpot or slow cooker.
Set it to cook on low for one hour or until the mixture is warmed up. Stir in brandy.
How to Serve Mulled Wine
Once you’ve simmered the mixture, pour the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer.
Ladle the warm wine into heat-proof glasses or mugs.
Garnish the drinks with sliced oranges and cinnamon sticks.
FAQ
There are different opinions about this – some people like fruity red wine and others prefer a dry red wine. We prefer a dry wine since we sweeten the drink with honey. What’s most important is that you choose red wine that you like to drink.
It’s traditionally served hot or warm.
You should only lightly simmer the wine. If you boil it the alcohol can evaporate. This drink is meant to be a boozy one.
This drink is so cozy and perfect for a cold night! It’s so easy you can make it on repeat all through the winter whenever you need a warm cocktail to sip on. I hope you love it!
More Holiday Cocktails
- Irish Coffees are the best after-dinner drinks for a holiday celebration!
- Make a batch of Spiked Eggnog for a fun celebration drink! You can also keep it booze-free so it’s a great option for a party.
- Peppermint Martinis are so fun and festive!
- Spiked Apple Cider is guaranteed to warm everyone up!
- You can’t go wrong with a Hot Buttered Rum on a cold winter’s night!
If you love this recipe, be sure and comment below and give it a five-star rating – I would love to hear from you!
If you snap a photo, tag me at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your pretty drinks!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Mulled Wine
Ingredients
- 750 ml bottle of dry red wine
- 1 orange sliced into rounds (also peeled, if you would like a less-bitter drink)
- 6 whole cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- ¼ cup honey
- 1/2 cup brandy optional
- optional garnishes: citrus slices, orange, lemon and/or lime, extra cinnamon sticks, extra star anise
Instructions
- In a large saucepan add the wine, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon, star anise and honey. Stir to combine.
- Stovetop: Heat the mulled wine mixture over medium-high heat until it just barely starts to simmer, do not let it boil or it will boil the alcohol off. Reduce heat to low, cover and let the wine simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in brandy.
- Crock Pot: Add all ingredients except brandy to the slow cooker. Heat on low for 1 hour or until warm. Stir in brandy.
- When ready to serve, use a fine mesh strainer to remove spices and orange slices.
- Serve in mugs topped with garnishes like orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise etc.
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