Traditional Christmas Mulled Wine with Cinnamon and Orange

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There’s nothing quite like the smell of warm spices filling the house during the holidays.

This easy Christmas mulled wine is made with red wine, oranges, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise for a cozy drink that’s perfect for chilly winter evenings.

It’s simple to prepare on the stovetop and makes a lovely addition to Christmas parties, holiday dinners, and quiet evenings by the fire. You can also keep it warm in a slow cooker when you’re entertaining guests.

If you’re planning a holiday drink menu, you might also enjoy my Christmas Cranberry Moscow Mule, Christmas Eggnog Cocktail, and Mistletoe Margarita.

Christmas Mulled Wine Recipe

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6

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Ingredients

  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • 2–3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, to taste
  • ¼ cup brandy (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pour the red wine into a large saucepan.
  2. Add the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and honey or maple syrup.
  3. Warm over low heat for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not let the wine boil.
  4. Taste and add more sweetener if desired. Stir in the brandy, if using.
  5. Strain into mugs or heat-safe glasses and serve warm, garnished with an orange slice or cinnamon stick.

Tips for Making Mulled Wine

Choose a dry red wine. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or a fruity red blend works well. You don’t need an expensive bottle; the spices and citrus add plenty of flavor.

Keep the heat low. Gently warming the wine allows the spices to infuse without boiling away too much alcohol or changing the flavor.

Adjust the sweetness. Start with a small amount of honey or maple syrup and add more to taste.

Make it in a slow cooker. Combine the ingredients in a slow cooker and heat on LOW for about 1–2 hours. Once warm, switch to the KEEP WARM setting for serving.

Prepare it ahead. You can gently reheat leftover mulled wine on the stovetop. Store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More Christmas Cocktail Recipes

Looking for more festive drinks to serve this season? Try these holiday favorites:

This Christmas mulled wine is an easy, warming drink to share throughout the holiday season.

Make a batch for your next gathering and let the aroma of citrus and spices bring a little extra Christmas cheer to your home.

Follow my cocktail recipes board on Pinterest.

Related posts:

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