This classic mulled red wine tastes exactly like the one you get at Christmas markets across Europe. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s fragrant, easy to make at home and brings all those festive vibes straight into your kitchen.
I first tried mulled red wine (Glühwein) at a Christmas market in Germany, and ever since then, it’s been a festive must-have for me. I’ve visited markets in Vienna, Copenhagen, Prague and a few others over the years, and mulled wine is always the drink I look forward to. In my recent trip, I discovered mulled white wine (Weißer Glühwein) in Vienna, which has also become my favourite.
Because it’s so simple to make, I now prepare mulled wine at home for holiday gatherings. It has the perfect balance of warming spices, gentle sweetness, and citrus notes. All you need is a bottle of wine, a few mulling spices, sugar, and fresh citrus.
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option, I’ve also shared an alcohol-free mulled wine recipe, which is just as festive and flavourful.
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Why Make My Recipe?
- It’s budget-friendly. A small 200 ml cup of mulled wine at the market costs around £6. For the same price, you can make at least four cups at home.
- It’s quick and easy.
- You need 4 ingredients and only 20 minutes.
- You can make a delicious non-alcoholic mulled wine with the same method.
- It’s easy to scale the recipe.
Sandhya's Top Tips
- Don’t boil the wine mixture. Keep it at a gentle simmer for the best flavour.
- Avoid ground spices, as they don’t incorporate well and can make the drink gritty.
- To spike the spiced wine, add a splash of brandy or liqueur at the end.
- If you’re not in a rush, you can also make this in a slow cooker.
- Don’t skip the sweetener. A touch of sweetness helps balance the spices, brings all the flavours together, and prevents the wine from tasting overly bitter.
📋Ingredients
(Detailed ingredients and quantity are mentioned in the recipe card below)
- Red wine – The best wine for mulled red wine recipe is dry and full-bodied. I like using Rioja or Cabernet Sauvignon. Simply choose a wine you enjoy drinking.
- Mulling Spices – I like to stick to traditional mulling spices like cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, and star anise for a simple mulled wine recipe. For holidays, I also like to add dried ginger, nutmeg, black pepper or allspice. Alternatively, to make things easier, you can pick up a ready-made mulled spice mix from the supermarket when buying the red wine.
- Orange or Lemon - I generally use naval orange with the rind on.
- Sugar, honey, or maple syrup – As the wine with spices as such is bitter, adding sweetener gives the right balance. I usually keep it classic with white caster sugar.
- Optional ingredients – Brandy is a traditional choice (add only if you want a spiked version, and remember to halve the sugar). Cointreau (orange liqueur) or tawny port also work well.
How to Make Spiced Mulled Red Wine on Stove Top?
Step 1: Add the wine, orange slices, and spices to a pot.
Step 2: Heat over medium heat. Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it infuse for 15–20 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Strain and serve in glasses.
How to Serve Mulled Red Wine
Ladle the warm mulled wine into heatproof mugs and serve immediately. Add your favourite spices if you like. I usually add a cinnamon stick and a slice of orange.
Recently, when I visited my local Christmas market here in the UK, I took a Hydro Flask of my homemade version with me. Honestly, this festive drink tasted exactly like the ones I’ve had in Europe—hot, cosy, spiced, and wonderfully aromatic.
Best Pairing for Spiced Mulled Wine
- Popcorn: Fresh Instant Pot popcorn is a simple, festive snack that pairs well with mulled wine during the holidays.
- Roasted Nuts: Air-fried peanuts, oven-roasted cashews, or air-fried chestnuts (like the ones you get in European Christmas Markets) add a warm, savoury contrast to the spices.
- Cheese: Hard cheeses like Gouda, mature cheddar, or raclette balance the sweetness of mulled wine beautifully.
Storing
- In the fridge: Store in an air-tight container and enjoy within 24 hours. Warm gently and serve.
- In the freezer: You can freeze leftover mulled wine. Let it cool completely, then pour it into ice cube trays and freeze. These mulled wine cubes are great for holiday cocktails or warming up a quick single serving later.
Recipe FAQs
If your mulled wine boils briefly, don’t worry—it won’t be ruined. Some alcohol may evaporate and the flavour may taste a little lighter, but it takes almost an hour of boiling to lose a lot of alcohol.
If the flavour feels weaker, add a little brandy (about ½ cup or less) to bring back the warmth.
Mulled wine is traditionally served warm, but you can drink it cold. The flavours won’t be as cosy or aromatic, but it’s still enjoyable—especially if you chill it after simmering. Many people enjoy leftover mulled wine straight from the fridge.
Red wine is simply wine served at room temperature or slightly chilled. Mulled wine is warmed gently with spices, citrus, and sweetener. The result is a fragrant, spiced drink that’s sweeter, richer, and perfect for winter.
To make mulled wine sangria, first prepare the mulled wine as usual and allow it to cool slightly. Once finished, strain out the spices and pour the mulled wine into a large jug or container. Add sliced fruit along with ½ cup blackberries and ½ cup cranberries. Stir in ¼ cup brandy, then mix gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 2–3 hours until well chilled, allowing the flavours to meld before serving cold.
More Easy Vegan Holiday Drinks
Ingredients
- 750 ml red wine
- 60 g sugar ¼ cup
- 1 cinnamon stick about 2 inches
- 10 whole cloves
- 2 star anise
- 2 green cardamom pods
- 1 orange sliced into discs
- Optional: a small piece of dried ginger
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan and place over low heat.
- Gently simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has fully dissolved. Do not boil.
- Remove from heat and strain out the spices.
- Serve warm in heatproof glasses. Garnish with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick, if desired.
Sonal Thakur says
Thank you for such an easy recipe for mulled wine. I tried it with both red and white wine and was an instant hit during holidays.
Sandhya Hariharan says
Thank you Sonal. So glad you enjoyed it! I love a good white mulled wine too!