What kind of wine is best for mulled wine?

The best red wine to use for mulled wine is Merlot, Zinfandel or Garnacha (also called Grenache) . These wines are dark, fruity and full bodied, which means they can support all of the flavors we'll be adding. Look for labels that describe the wine as “jammy” or with “notes of vanilla.”

How do you reduce the bitterness in mulled wine?

To minimize any bitter flavor, you can peel the orange before simmering it in the wine . You can also always add extra sweetener.

How long to cook off alcohol in mulled wine?

Does the alcohol cook out when making mulled wine? In short, yes, some of the alcohol burns off when boiling mulled wine, but you should only be gently bringing up to the boil and simmering for around 15-30 minutes which isn't enough time to completely remove all alcohol traces.

How long should you heat mulled wine?

Method. Put the red wine, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, lemon zest and sugar in a large pan. Cook on a low heat for 10 mins . Remove from the heat and cool, leaving to infuse for about 30 mins.

Should you use cheap wine for mulled wine?

Mulled Wine Ingredients: Wine: No need to splurge on a pricey bottle — a mid-range bottle of dry red or white wine will do . (Or if you're making a big batch, this is a great recipe to break out a nicer boxed wine too!)

Can you drink mulled wine straight from the bottle?

Yes. Even though the spiced wine is heated, most of the alcohol remains. I suppose you could make a batch of mulled wine with a non-alcoholic wine and that would not have alcohol.

Why does my mulled wine taste bad?

You need to infuse the wine long enough with the spices to take on their flavour but DON'T ON ANY ACCOUNT LET THE MIXTURE BOIL as you'll be left with a bitter taste. Slow and low is the way to go. And it shouldn't be served piping hot, just comfortably - and comfortingly - warm.

Does heating mulled wine reduce the alcohol content?

A: Mulled wine is a festive and fragrant treat, with a rich history. Certainly heating wine is going to cause it to evaporate , and part of what will begin to evaporate is the alcohol.

What can I use instead of star anise in mulled wine?

Caraway Seeds and Tarragon The combination of these two ingredients creates a taste similar to star anise. An equal mix of a teaspoon of caraway seeds and dried tarragon can replace star anise in a recipe. Caraway seeds can become bitter the longer they are cooked so they should be added in toward the end of cooking.

What glass do you drink mulled wine in?

Traditionally, you serve mulled wine in porcelain or ceramic mulled wine mugs . Check out our affordable collection of gracefully decorated options. The shapes and designs can vary, but they all have a wider brim than normal, making it easier to drink.

What is best to serve mulled wine in?

Appropriate Glassware: Use heat-resistant glasses or mugs . Traditional glass wine goblets might crack with the heat, so opt for thicker, sturdier glasses or even festive mugs. Garnishing: Enhance the presentation by adding a cinnamon stick or an orange slice as a garnish.

Is Pinot Grigio good for mulled wine?

When the winter winds blow, stir up a batch co*cktail to share that's as warm as it's comforting! Aromatic spices, citrus and sweet honey complement the flavors of pinot grigio in a way that's sure to chase away the cold.

What is special about mulled wine?

Mulled Wine, sometimes referred to as Spiced Wine, refers to wine, most often of a red variety, infused with various fruits and spices then served warm . This traditional European drink is quite popular around the holidays and is synonymous with Christmas markets all around the world.

The Best Mulled Wine Recipe | Ambitious Kitchen (2024)

When Rebecca was in town a couple of years ago she was raving about this incredible mulled wine recipe she had perfected, so you KNOW we had to share it with all of you over this holiday weekend!

This mulled wine recipe, or spiced wine, is simmered to perfection with the coziest, whole spices and will truly warm you from the inside out. Have any other drink requests for the new year? Leave a comment below and we’ll make it happen.

Brew up this warming mulled wine for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or even a girl’s night in. I’ve included some delicious appetizer & dessert pairings at the bottom of this post, too, so you can really make it a party.

What is mulled wine?

Mulled wine, aka “spiced wine” or “hot wine” is a warm drink that’s popular during the holidays in many European countries. It has become even more popular here in the U.S. over the past years, especially at outdoor Christmas markets. We have a huge one here in Chicago called the Christkindlmarket and they have some amazing mulled wine in cute, festive mugs.

Mulled wine is essentially red wine simmered with various cozy spices like cinnamon, cloves and star anise that give it a delicious, spiced flavor. You can make it with brandy or another dark liquor for an extra kick!

Everything you’ll need to make homemade mulled wine

You’ll need under 10 ingredients to make this delicious mulled wine recipe. It’s SO easy to make and filled with wonderful flavors. Here’s what you’ll need:

Red wine: I suggest using a medium or full-bodied red wine like Merlot for a nice depth in the spiced wine recipe.
Maple syrup: for a hint of sweetness and to balance the spices we’re adding some pure maple syrup.
Liquor: add some extra “warmth” with brandy or bourbon. This also deepens the flavor in the mulled wine, but it’s optional!
Citrus: we like to add a sliced orange to the mulled wine for a lovely citrus addition. It makes a beautiful garnish, too.
Spices: the stars of the show are cinnamon sticks, star anise pods and whole cloves. They simmer in the wine and give off that glorious spiced flavor!

Choosing your wine

I would not recommend trying white wine in this mulled wine recipe as the flavors will turn out much different. As I mentioned, a medium to full-bodied red wine like Merlot, cabernet, and syrah works best! I recommend a red that’s not too sweet and feel free to use up your more budget-friendly wines for this recipe. Save the fancy stuff for your holiday table!

Homemade mulled wine in 3 simple steps

That’s right, once you have all of our spices and ingredients this hot wine recipe comes together in no time!

Mix your ingredients. Start by adding all of the ingredients for the mulled wine to a large pot and stirring them together.
Heat it up. Place your pot over medium heat and let the mixture heat up for 10 minutes. If the mixture starts to boil be sure to turn down the heat.
Serve & enjoy! Once the mulled wine is nice and hot ladle it into mugs and garnish with and orange slice, cinnamon stick and star anise pod for a pretty look. Then enjoy!

How to keep mulled wine warm

Serving a party? Keep the mulled wine nice and warm by placing it in a slow cooker on “warm.” If the wine will be out for more than two hours, I recommend removing the whole spices so that they don’t make the wine bitter.

Store it for later

On the off chance that you have mulled wine left over, you can store it right in the refrigerator. Let it cool completely and place it in airtight jars or containers for up to 3 days. Remember to remove the whole spices before storing it, and then simply reheat on the stovetop or in your slow cooker on “warm.”

More co*cktails you’ll love

Apple Cider Hot Toddy
Spicy Blood Orange Margarita
My Absolute Favorite Healthier Hot Chocolate (options to spike it!)
Grapefruit Margarita

Get all of our drink recipes here!

I hope you love this amazing mulled wine recipe! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!

The Best Mulled Wine Recipe | Ambitious Kitchen (7)

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Rebecca’s Mulled Wine

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Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

ServesServes 5 servings

The best homemade mulled wine you'll ever make in just 15 minutes! This cozy, easy mulled wine recipe is warming and delicious thanks to wonderful spices like cinnamon, cloves and star anise. The perfect warm drink to sip during the holidays!

Ingredients

1 bottle medium or full bodied red wine such as merlot
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ - ½ cup brandy or bourbon
1 orange, sliced, plus more for garnish
2 cinnamon sticks, plus more for garnish
3 whole star anise pods, plus more for garnish
4 whole cloves

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a medium sized pot and stir together.
Place the pot over medium heat for 10 minutes. Turn down the heat if the mixture comes to a boil.
Ladle mulled wine into mugs and garnish with an orange slice, cinnamon stick and star anise pod on top. Cheers!

Recipe Notes

If making the recipe more than two hours in advance, remove the whole spices before storing, as they could turn the mulled wine a bit bitter.

Feel free to lower the brandy/bourbon amount to ¼ cup if you prefer a less strong drink.