Classic Mulled Wine (Your Home Will Smell Amazing!)

Is there any aroma more inviting on a chilly evening than warm spices mingling with red wine? Making a batch of Classic Mulled Wine is my absolute favorite way to welcome guests during the fall and holiday season. It instantly creates a warm, festive atmosphere, and it tastes like pure comfort in a mug.

This isn’t just warmed-up wine; it’s a careful infusion of flavor. We’re gently simmering a bottle of red wine with classic mulling spices like cinnamon and star anise, along with fresh orange slices and just a touch of sweetness. The key is low heat and patience, allowing the spices to perfume the wine without cooking off the alcohol. It’s incredibly simple to make, perfect for a crowd, and guaranteed to make your home feel like the most welcoming place on earth.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The Ultimate Welcoming Drink: It’s warm, fragrant, and instantly makes any gathering feel more festive and special.
• Incredibly Simple: If you can warm liquid on a stove, you can make fantastic mulled wine. It’s practically foolproof.
• Makes Your House Smell Heavenly: Seriously, the aroma of simmering wine, spices, and orange is worth making it for that reason alone!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s fill your home with the scent of the holidays. Here’s how.First, gather your fragrant spices and other simple ingredients. Using whole spices is key for the best flavor.

Next, combine everything in a pot. Pour your wine into a large saucepan or Dutch oven, add your spices, orange slices, and sweetener. Give it a gentle stir.

Now for the most important part: the gentle simmer. We’ll warm the wine over low heat. The key is to let it get hot and steamy, allowing the flavors to infuse beautifully, but do not let it boil! Boiling will cook off the alcohol and can make the spices taste bitter.

Finally, serve! Ladle that beautiful, fragrant mulled wine into mugs, making sure to get an orange slice or a cinnamon stick in each one for garnish. Pure warmth and cheer.

Ava’s Notes

• What Kind of Red Wine? Choose a dry, fruity, medium-bodied red wine. Something like a Merlot, Zinfandel, or a Garnacha is perfect. No need to break the bank – an affordable bottle works beautifully here. Avoid heavy, tannic wines like Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Sweetness Control: Adjust the amount of maple syrup or sugar to your liking. Start with less, taste, and add more if needed.
• Make it Ahead: Mulled wine is fantastic made ahead! Just keep it warm on the stove over very low heat or transfer it to a slow cooker set to “Warm.” Don’t let it continue to simmer.

Classic Mulled Wine

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

6-8

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Total time

30

minutes

A warm, fragrant, and festive drink made by gently simmering red wine with citrus and classic mulling spices. The perfect welcoming beverage for fall and holiday gatherings.

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Ingredients

• 75 ml dry, fruity red wine (like Merlot or Zinfandel)

• 1 large orange, sliced into rounds

• 4 whole cloves

• 2 sticks cinnamon

• 2 star anise

• 2-4 tbsp maple syrup or granulated sugar (to taste)

• 1/4 c brandy or orange liqueur (optional)

• Extra orange slices, cinnamon sticks (for garnish)

Directions

• Combine Ingredients: Combine the red wine, sliced orange, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup (or sugar) in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.
• Warm Gently (Do Not Boil): Place the pot over medium-low heat. Warm the wine gently, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes. The wine should become hot and steamy, but do not allow it to come to a full simmer or boil. Boiling will cook off the alcohol and can make the spices taste bitter.
• Taste and Adjust: Carefully taste the mulled wine. Add more maple syrup or sugar if you prefer it sweeter. If using brandy or orange liqueur, stir it in during the last 5 minutes of warming.
• Serve: Reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting to keep the wine warm (or transfer to a slow cooker on the “Warm” setting). Ladle the mulled wine into heatproof mugs or glasses, making sure to include some of the spices or an orange slice in each glass for garnish. Serve immediately.

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