Spiced Mulled Wine for Christmas

Imagine this: it’s cold out, your cheeks are a little pink from the wind, and the second you step inside, the air hits you—warm, rich, and full of spice. That’s mulled wine doing what it does best. Whether you call it Glühwein, Vin Chaud, or just your new winter obsession, this stuff is the real deal.

It’s more than just wine and spices—it’s a whole vibe. You’ve got cinnamon, cloves, star anise, maybe some citrus peel swirling around in a pot of deep red wine, and it fills your space with that unmistakable festive feeling. It’s cozy, it’s a little nostalgic, and it turns any ordinary night into a little celebration.

And if you’ve ever strolled through a Christmas market in Europe, you know—this drink is the season. In Tallinn, Estonia, they even kick it up a notch with brandy, offering it anywhere from 14% to a full-on 21% if you’re brave. Feel free to fortify yours too if you’re going for that extra toasty glow.

Perfect for gatherings, small hangs, or even just a solo evening with a good movie and a soft blanket. It’s easy to make, hard to mess up, and guaranteed to make your place smell like the holidays moved in.

The Ultimate Spiced Holiday Mulled Wine

This mulled wine is an aromatic blend of red wine infused with a medley of spices and citrus, delivering a warm and inviting taste that perfectly complements winter nights.

Ingredients

• 1 Bottle (750 ml) of Red Wine (such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 1 Orange, sliced
• 1 Lemon, sliced
• 1/4 cup Brandy (optional)
• 3-4 Cinnamon sticks
• 5-6 Whole cloves
• 2-3 Star anise
• 1/4 cup honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• Additional orange slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)

Zero-Proof Mulled Wine: Replace the red wine with a non-alcoholic red wine, and omit the brandy.

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the red wine, orange slices, lemon slices, brandy (if using), cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, honey or sugar, and grated nutmeg.
2. Heat the Mixture: Heat over medium heat until the wine is warm, but not boiling. Stir occasionally to dissolve the honey or sugar.
3. Simmer: Once warm, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Do not let it boil.
4. Serve: Strain the mulled wine into mugs or heatproof glasses and garnish with additional orange slices and cinnamon sticks, if desired.

Cook and Prep Times

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes

Nutrition Information

• Servings: 4 cups
• Calories: 172kcal per cup
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 32g

To pin for later:

Fancy some other warm cocktails like the mulled wine? Why not try a toasted coconut hot chocolate, a salted caramel and rum hot chocolate, or a clementine mulled whisky?

Continue to Content

Yield: 4

Christmas Mulled Wine

Print

Warm up this winter with a classic mulled wine recipe! This spiced Glühwein combines rich red wine, fragrant spices, and citrus for a festive warming drink.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Bottle (750 ml) of Red Wine (such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 1 Orange, sliced
• 1 Lemon, sliced
• 1/4 cup Brandy (optional)
• 3-4 Cinnamon sticks
• 5-6 Whole cloves
• 2-3 Star anise
• 1/4 cup honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• Additional orange slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the red wine, orange slices, lemon slices, brandy (if using), cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, honey or sugar, and grated nutmeg.
2. Heat the Mixture: Heat over medium heat until the wine is warm, but not boiling. Stir occasionally to dissolve the honey or sugar.
3. Simmer: Once warm, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Do not let it boil.
4. Serve: Strain the mulled wine into mugs or heatproof glasses and garnish with additional orange slices and cinnamon sticks, if desired.

Notes

Zero-Proof Mulled Wine: Replace the red wine with a non-alcoholic red wine, and omit the brandy.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 172Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 5mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 3gSugar: 25gProtein: 1g

This nutrition information was automatically calculated by Nutritionix, but may not be 100% accurate.