Easy Mulled Wine Recipe (Warm, Spiced & Cozy)
This easy mulled wine recipe is cozy, citrusy, and perfectly spiced — made with red wine, apple juice, cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest. It’s the perfect winter drink for cold nights or holiday gatherings, ready in just 20 minutes.
6 people
Calories: 269kcal
Ingredients
- 4 cups 1 liter apple juice, unsweetened
- 1 bottle 750 ml red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Zinfandel)
- 2 tablespoons sugar or honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar, to taste
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 large strips orange zest avoid the white pith
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 star anise pod
- For Serving:
- 1 apple thinly sliced
- 1 orange thinly sliced
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Combine: In a large saucepan, add apple juice, red wine, sugar, cinnamon sticks, orange zest, cloves, and star anise.
- Simmer gently: Warm over low heat (never boiling) for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the spices are fragrant.
- Taste and adjust: Add more sugar or sweetener if desired.
- Strain and serve: Remove spices and zest. Pour into heatproof glasses or mugs and garnish with apple and orange slices, plus a few pomegranate seeds.
Notes
How to Store Mulled Wine: Let it cool completely before storing. Strain out all spices and citrus peels to avoid bitterness. Refrigerate in a sealed glass container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove (do not boil).
Freezing Option: Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe jar, leaving space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently before serving.
Non-Alcoholic Version: Replace wine with grape or pomegranate juice.
Apple Mulled Wine: Add extra apple slices and a splash more juice for fruity flavor.
Traditional Mulled Wine: Omit apple juice and increase wine for a classic European version.
Home Cook Tips: Keep the heat low — boiling will cook off the alcohol and turn spices bitter. Use fresh whole spices for the best aroma and depth. For a festive look, use a small cookie cutter to shape apple slices into stars before garnishing.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 517mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 82IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg