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 cocktail.
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!).
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!)
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.
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
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!
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!
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 cocktail recipes:
- Hot Apple Cider Cocktail
- Cranberry Orange Mimosa
- Blood Orange Kombucha Margaritas
- How To Make Infused Liquors (DIY Holiday Gift)
- Cranberry Orange Whiskey Cocktail
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.
Print📖 Recipe
Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6-8 1x
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 cocktail.
Ingredients
- 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
- ⅓ 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
- ⅓-½ cup pomegranate seeds
- ⅓ cup fresh cranberries (optional)
Instructions
- Add the wine, cider, orange juice, 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!
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: Cocktails
- 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
Michalina says
I’ve made this three times so far this holiday season using whiskey or port instead of brandy. Guests have always enjoyed it! So have I, delicious!
Melissa says
There is no mention of when to add the orange juice in the recipe.
Lexi says
Hi Melissa, I am so sorry – thank you for catching that! It goes in with the cider and maple syrup. I just adjusted the instructions.
Summer Dien says
Planning on making this for Christmas! Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh? If it’s to be non alcoholic, how much apple cider? Thanks! Mele kalikimaka from Maui!
Lexi says
Yes, you can definitely use frozen! I would use about 6 cups total of the cider. Thanks and have a wonderful Christmas!
Nicky says
absolutely delicious - i made a double batch for the whole family!
Lexi says
Ah yay so glad you and your family enjoyed - this is a favorite in our house, too!