How do you make mulled wine? Warm a bottle of fruity, medium-bodied red on low heat with orange, whole cinnamon, cloves and star anise. Add a little honey, steep it for 15 to 20 minutes without boiling, then strain. A smooth red blend or Pinot Noir works well. Wine, fruit, spices and a touch of honey are all it needs.
What do you need to make mulled wine?
These amounts are for one 750 ml bottle. To make more, scale everything by the bottle.
- 1 bottle (750 ml) fruity red wine
- 1 orange: half sliced into thin rounds, half juiced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey or sugar, to taste
- To serve: fresh orange slices and extra cinnamon sticks
Use a heavy saucepan if you have one. It holds a gentle, even heat and keeps the bottom from scorching.
How do you make mulled wine, step by step?
- Combine. Pour the wine into the pan. Add the orange rounds and juice, the cinnamon, cloves, star anise and 1 tablespoon of honey.
- Warm it low. Set the heat to low and stir until the honey dissolves. Wait until the wine steams and tiny bubbles form at the edge.
- Steep, never boil. Hold it just below a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn the heat down if it starts to bubble.
- Taste. Add more honey a teaspoon at a time if you like it sweeter.
- Strain and serve. Lift out the spices and cooked fruit. Ladle the wine into heatproof mugs or glasses, with a fresh orange slice and a cinnamon stick.
Why the low heat? Boiling drives off the wine's fruit aromas and stews the spices. The orange pith and cloves turn harsh, and the pot tastes bitter instead of bright.
What wine is best for mulled wine?
Choose a red with plenty of fruit, soft tannin and little oak. Spice, citrus and honey build on the fruit, so a wine that tastes of cherry and berries gives the pot its center.
Skip very tannic reds and wines with heavy, toasty oak. Heat and spice bring their grip forward, and the result tastes bitter. Our guide to what tannins are in wine explains that drying grip.
| Style | Why it works | ONEHOPE bottle |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth red blend | Cherry and raspberry stand up to orange; cocoa and vanilla round out the cinnamon | 2022 Vintner Red Blend |
| Pinot Noir | Soft tannin stays smooth when warm; strawberry, Bing cherry and a touch of cinnamon meet the spice | 2021 Hospitality Pinot Noir |
| Fuller red blend | Dark cherry and exotic spice give a deeper, spicier pot; leather and dried rose petals add layers | 2021 Field to Table Red Blend |
The 2022 Vintner Red Blend is our everyday pick. It is smooth and full-flavored, with notes of cherry, raspberry, cocoa powder and vanilla.
The 2021 Hospitality Pinot Noir is balanced and medium-bodied. Its ripe strawberry and Bing cherry already carry a touch of cinnamon, so it makes a lighter, brighter mulled wine.
More on the grape in our Pinot Noir guide.
For a richer pot, use the 2021 Field to Table Red Blend. Dark cherry and exotic spice lead, with a finish of leather and dried rose petals.
Want to know how these styles differ? See our guide to types of red wine, from Pinot Noir to Cabernet and our red blend guide. ONEHOPE wine gives back.
Should you use whole or ground spices?
Use whole spices. They release flavor slowly and lift out cleanly, so the wine stays clear and smooth.
Ground spices cloud the wine and leave grit in the bottom of the mug. If ground is all you have, use a small pinch and tie it in cheesecloth or a tea infuser.
Once you have the base, change the spice set to suit you:
- Fresh ginger. Two or three thin slices add a clean, peppery warmth.
- Cardamom. Lightly crush two pods for a floral, slightly citrus note.
- Vanilla. Half a split vanilla bean softens the edges of the cloves.
- Black peppercorns and lemon zest. A few crushed peppercorns and a strip of zest give a sharper, drier finish.
What are some mulled wine variations?
White mulled wine
Swap the red for a crisp white and the orange for pear and apple. Add cinnamon, a star anise, a strip of lemon peel and honey to taste. Warm and steep it the same way.
The 2023 Vintner Sauvignon Blanc brings lime, lemon, guava and star fruit, which keep the spice bright. The 2023 Vintner Pinot Grigio is light-bodied with high acidity, and its ripe stone fruit suits pear. Our guide to types of white wine compares the two.
Cranberry or apple mulled wine
Add a handful of fresh cranberries to the red version for a tart, ruby-bright pot. Or add a sliced apple with the orange for a rounder, orchard-fruit flavor. Strain the fruit out before serving.
Slow cooker mulled wine
Put everything in the slow cooker, cover it, and heat on low for about an hour. Then switch to the warm setting. Check it once while it heats, and switch to warm sooner if it starts to bubble.
Prefer a cold wine and fruit drink? Our sangria recipes start with the same idea and stay chilled.
How do you keep mulled wine warm for a gathering?
Keep it on the lowest heat with the lid on. The lid holds in the aroma, and the low heat keeps it from bubbling.
Lift the spices out once the flavor tastes right. Left in for hours, cloves and orange peel grow bitter, and the fruit in the wine fades. If you leave them in, taste every half hour and add a splash of orange juice if it turns too spicy.
Set the pot on a sideboard or a corner of the kitchen with a ladle and a tray of mugs. For the rest of the room, see our winter tablescape ideas. Planning the meal too? Our Christmas dinner wine pairings go course by course.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wine for mulled wine?
A fruity, medium-bodied red with soft tannin and little oak. A smooth red blend such as our 2022 Vintner Red Blend or a Pinot Noir works well. Avoid very tannic or heavily oaked reds, which turn bitter when heated.
Can you make mulled wine with just wine, fruit and spices?
Yes. This recipe uses only wine, orange, whole spices and a little honey. The fruit and spices give it plenty of depth on their own.
Can you make mulled wine with white wine?
Yes. Use a crisp white such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, with pear, apple, cinnamon, star anise and lemon peel. Warm it gently, exactly as you would a red.
Can you make mulled wine in a slow cooker?
Yes. Cover and heat it on low for about an hour, then hold it on the warm setting so it never bubbles. Take the spices out once the flavor tastes right.
Can you make mulled wine ahead of time?
Yes. Steep it, strain out the fruit and spices, and let it cool. Keep it covered in the fridge for two to three days, as you would an open red. Reheat it gently, without boiling. Our guide to how long wine lasts after opening explains why.
Why should mulled wine never boil?
Boiling drives off the wine's fruit aromas and over-extracts the spices and orange pith. The result tastes flat and bitter. Keep it steaming, just below a simmer.
What is the difference between mulled wine and Glühwein?
Glühwein is the German name for mulled wine. It means "glow wine," and it is a winter tradition across Germany and Austria. The spice set is much the same: cinnamon, cloves, star anise and citrus.
