Mulled Wine Recipe
A warm and aromatic Mulled Wine recipe perfect for cozy evenings and festive gatherings, blending dry red wine with aromatic spices, citrus, and a touch of sweetness for a comforting holiday drink.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: European
Main Ingredients
- 1 (750 ml) bottle of dry red wine
- 1/4 cup brandy (or orange liqueur)
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds (peel the orange for a less-bitter drink if preferred)
- 8 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar, honey, or maple syrup to taste (or your desired sweetener)
Optional Garnishes
- Citrus slices (orange, lemon, and/or lime)
- Extra cinnamon sticks
- Extra star anise
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot or saucepan, pour the dry red wine and add the brandy or orange liqueur. Add the sliced orange rounds, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise to the mixture.
- Add Sweetener: Stir in 2 to 4 tablespoons of sugar, honey, or maple syrup depending on your preferred sweetness level. Adjust gradually to taste.
- Heat Gently: Warm the mixture over low heat, making sure it never reaches a boil to preserve the alcohol content and prevent bitterness. Let it simmer gently for about 20-30 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Strain and Serve: Remove from heat. Strain the mulled wine to remove the spices and orange slices. Pour the warm mulled wine into mugs or heatproof glasses.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Garnish with additional citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, or star anise if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your festive mulled wine.
Notes
- For a less bitter flavor, peel the orange before slicing.
- Do not let the mulled wine boil to avoid burning off the alcohol and bitterness.
- You can substitute brandy with orange liqueur or omit for a milder flavor.
- Adjust sweetness according to taste; honey and maple syrup add unique flavors.
- Mulled wine is best served warm and consumed within a few hours.
Keywords: Mulled Wine, Spiced Wine, Holiday Drink, Warm Beverage, Christmas Drink, Winter Drink