Holiday Mulled Wine

Mulled wine served in a mug with a cinnamon stick and orange slice.

This easy mulled wine recipe is a classic holiday drink. Red wine is heated with orange, spices and maple syrup, and with a touch of brandy, for cosy and warming drink that's for adults only!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword homemade mulled wine, how to make mulled wine, slow cooker mulled wine, stovetop mulled wine

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 35

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 226kcal

Author Tanya

Ingredients

1 750 milliliter bottle of wine Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon
1 medium orange rinsed and dried
½ Tablespoon whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole star anise
2 Tablespoon maple syrup
2 Tablespoons brandy

Instructions

Stovetop:

Use a peeler and strip a few slices of the orange peel from the orange. Cut the orange in half and juice the orange.
Add wine, juice from the orange, orange peel, cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and maple syrup to a 4-quart saucepan and place over medium heat. When the mixture begins to lightly bubble, reduce the heat to low and cover with a tight fitting lid.
Allow to simmer over low with the lid on for about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and pour the liquid into a fine mesh strainer that has been placed over a bowl. Discard the whole spices and orange peel. Serve the wine in mugs. Enjoy!

Slow cooker:

Use a peeler and strip a few slices of the orange peel. Cut the orange in half and juice the orange.
Add wine, juice from the orange,orange peel, cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and maple ingredients in a 4-quart slow cooker. Cook on low heat for 1-2 hours. When ready to serve, pour the liquid into a fine mesh strainer that has been placed over a bowl. Discard the whole spices and orange peel. Serve the wine in mugs. Enjoy!

Notes

Use a bold and fruity wine to make this recipe. A Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz are all great choices. The wine doesn't have to be expensive, but use one you would normally drink.
Don't be tempted to add more spices, or the finished drink can be quite overpowering.
The maple syrup can be substituted for honey or brown sugar.
Make sure that you don't bring the wine to a boil. Alcohol evaporates at 172 degrees Fahrenheit (78°C) which could result in less potent wine and a bitter drink.

Nutrition