As the nights turn chilly and the holiday season creeps in, there’s nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a mug of mulled wine. Imagine the scene: the glow of twinkling lights, a warm drink infused with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and citrus, and the smell of Christmas floating through your home. This isn’t just a drink—it’s a cozy hug in a mug.
PS: If you need some cozy fall captions to pair with your cozy Mulled wine, check out this list of fall caption ideas!
What Is Mulled Wine?
Mulled wine (aka Glühwein, Glögg, or a dozen other festive names) is a warm, spiced wine that’s made by gently simmering red wine with spices, citrus, and a touch of sweetness. The result? A warm wine drink that tastes like holiday magic.
What Kind of Wine Works Best for Mulled Wine?
The first question every mulled wine newbie asks: What wine should I use? With so many wines on the market, the endless options can feel overwhelming.
- Go fruit-forward: Wines like Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Grenache, Chianti, or Merlot are perfect. They bring bold flavors without overpowering the spices.
- Skip the oak: Unoaked wines let the mulling spices shine.
- Stay on budget: A bottle in the $10–$15 range works beautifully. Bonus points if you grab a bargain from South America or Australia – these bottles are always budget friendly.
- Avoid light reds: While you may love light wines like Beaujolais or Pinot Noir, they don’t work well in mulled wine.
Pro Tip: If you’ve got a bottle gathering dust or a gifted wine that’s not your favorite for sipping, give it new life as mulled wine.
How to Make Mulled Wine in 4 Easy Steps
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of red wine
- 2 oranges (1 juiced, 1 sliced)
- 5–6 whole cloves
- 2 star anise
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 cup of liquor (rum, brandy, amaretto, or Grand Marnier all work)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
Steps:
- Peel one orange, set the strips aside, and juice it.
- Combine all the ingredients in a Dutch oven. Gently heat on medium, stirring occasionally.
- Bring the mix to a quick boil (just a second!), then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
- Ladle into mugs, garnish with orange slices and cinnamon sticks, and serve.
Cue the “oohs” and “ahhs” from everyone you serve.
Variations
- Cranberry Garnish: Float whole cranberries for a pop of festive red.
- Creative Liquors: Swap Aquavit for amaretto, port, or Grand Marnier for added layers of flavor.
- Different Sweeteners: Try maple syrup or honey for a natural twist.
Tips
- Skip ground spices: They’ll leave your mug gritty. Stick to whole spices for that clean, cozy finish.
- Alcohol? Yes, please! Don’t worry about cooking off the alcohol; adding a splash of liquor after simmering ensures your drink packs the right punch.
- Use those random bottles: Mulled wine is the ultimate glow-up for wines you wouldn’t drink on their own.
Serving Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is as much about the experience as it is about the taste. Serve it in festive mugs—think Christmas patterns or even Halloween jack-o’-lanterns—that’s right. Traditional mulled wine is a great Halloween drink, too! Serve it up at your holiday parties, on Thanksgiving gathering, or enjoy a mug on a chilly evening by the fire with your favorite book.
Short on Time? Make Mulled Wine in a Slow Cooker!
- Combine your ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Set to LOW for about an hour until it’s warm and aromatic.
- Keep on WARM for serving.
FAQs
Is mulled wine strong?
Most of the alcohol cooks off during simmering, but the added liquor ensures a nice kick. If you skip the liquor, it’ll still have a little extra “warmth” in every sip.
How long does it last?
Mulled wine is best enjoyed fresh from the stove, but leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated the next day.
What’s the difference between mulled wine and Glühwein?
They’re essentially the same! Glühwein is just the German name for this special spiced wine.
Whether you’re serving it at a holiday party or sipping it solo while watching snowflakes fall, mulled wine is the drink of the season. And once you’ve made your first batch, don’t be surprised if it becomes your go-to tradition every winter.
Cheers to warm mugs and even warmer moments!