Homemade Mulled Wine

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If you’re looking for a great recipe for mulled wine, check out this recipe. A red wine mulled with oranges, clementines, cinnamon, and nutmeg—it’s a rich and flavorful cozy drink and a perfect cocktail for winter holiday parties.

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What is mulled wine?

Mulled wine or hot wine has a few names around the world. For example, in Germany it is called gluhwein or glow-wine. A few other names are: vino caliente, glögg, vin brulé, bisschopswijn, vin chaud, candola, vinho quent, glühwein, and a few more.

I believe it was created by the Romans who heated wine to warm their bodies during the cold winter. As the Romans conquered most of Europe they also spread the love for mulled wine everywhere they went. Europeans added herbs, spices, and sweeteners to the heated wine to promote good health and avoid sickness in winter.

Why make this recipe

• This is the easiest flavored wine you can make. I know I said that already but it really is. 
• Also, it is a very versatile recipe because almost all the ingredients can be substituted or omitted to suit your personal preference. 
• The spices, when combined together, create a wonderful aroma. The home smells heavenly just like making a natural deodorizer. In fact, I like making spiced wine after a busy kitchen day, so all the smell of food is gone and the only scent left is that of my aromatic wine.
• I like to let this wine simmer on the stovetop for a while. And yet, you can let it simmer for as little as 10 minutes or up to 3 hours. Just don’t boil it or you will evaporate all the alcohol. 
• Today, I am making this on the stove in a large saucepan but you can also make a batch in the slow cooker. Just add all the ingredients to a slow cooker or crockpot and leave it on low for a few hours. 

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Ingredients and substitutes

• Wine – You want a good quality wine that you like to drink, no cooking wines. You can use a good inexpensive wine as long as it’s drinkable. I like to use a zinfandel, pinot noir, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, or merlot, 
• Citrus – I like using both lemon and orange peel. But I do love the flavor of the orange in mine. So I love adding some orange slices. And you can also add fresh cranberries, orange juice, apple cider, 
• Apple – For me, the apple offsets the flavor of orange, so while it’s still there it’s subtle.
• Spices – I like to add whole spices such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom pods, whole cloves, nutmeg, and star anise. You can also add allspice.
• Sweetener – I like using honey or maple syrup. And yet, you can also use 3 tablespoons of brown sugar. In fact, I do like the caramel-like flavor molasses add from the brown sugar.
• Liquor – Brandy is my personal favorite. I think it’s a winter drink. But you can also use Bourbon, Cognac, Irish whiskey, rum, or Cointreau. 

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How to make the best mulled wine

Stovetop

• Combine – In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine all the ingredients and stir to combine.
• Simmer – Let simmer on low for 15 minutes or up to 3 hours. Do not let it bubble or boil.
  Pro tip – If the wine boils it will evaporate all the alcohol. So a gentle simmer is all you need to infuse those flavors
• Strain – Taste and adjust sweetness. If necessary, add more maple syrup or honey. Remove from the heat. Strain through a fine-mesh, strainer, or cheesecloth.
  Pro tip – I never strain my mulled wine because I like to serve it with cooked fruits and spices.

Slow cooker

• Simmer – Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker or crockpot and stir to combine. Cook on low for 3 hours.
• Strain – Taste and adjust sweetness. If necessary, add more maple syrup or honey. Remove from the heat. Strain through a fine-mesh, strainer, or cheesecloth.
  Pro tip – I never strain my mulled wine because I like to serve it with fruits and spices.

Serve

• Mulled wine is served warm in heatproof mugs. Use the ingredients in the mulled wine to serve as garnishes.

More cocktail recipes

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• See all cocktail recipes

Frequently asked questions

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