Mulled Wine Recipe: How to Make It at Home

There are few smells more festive than a pan of mulled wine warming on the hob. Red wine, orange and a handful of spices come together in a drink that feels like winter in a glass, whether you’re hosting a party or curling up on a cold evening. The good news is that it’s very easy to make at home. Here’s our simple recipe, the best wine to use, and a few twists to try.

What is mulled wine?

Mulled wine is red wine gently heated with spices, citrus fruit and a little sugar or honey. “Mulling” simply means warming a drink with spices, and it’s a tradition that goes back centuries across Europe.

You’ll find versions of it in many countries, each with its own name and style:

Glühwein in Germany and Austria, a favourite at Christmas markets
Vin chaud in France, often served at ski resorts
Glögg in Scandinavia, sometimes topped with almonds and raisins

In the UK, mulled wine is a Christmas classic, served at parties, carol concerts and winter fairs.

What is the best wine for mulled wine?

The best wine for mulled wine is a fruity, easy-drinking red with soft tannins (the compounds from grape skins that give a drying feeling in your mouth). Once you add spices, sugar and heat, the subtle details of a wine disappear, so there’s no need to open anything expensive.

Look for a red that is:

Fruity, with plenty of ripe red or black fruit flavours
Low in tannin, as heat can make tannins taste harsh
Unoaked or lightly oaked, as strong oak flavours clash with the spices
Affordable, as long as it’s a wine you’d happily drink on its own

Good choices include Merlot, Grenache (also called Garnacha in Spain), Shiraz or Zinfandel. A simple Côtes du Rhône or a Spanish Garnacha also works well.

Avoid fine or aged wines, which would lose everything that makes them special, and very tannic reds such as a young Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mulled wine with cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves and orange slices

How do you make mulled wine?

This recipe makes around 6 small glasses and takes about 25 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

1 bottle (75cl) of fruity red wine
1 orange, sliced (or the zest and juice of 1 orange)
2 cinnamon sticks
4 to 6 cloves
2 star anise
50 to 75g sugar, or 2 to 3 tablespoons of honey
Optional: a splash of brandy or Port

Method

Pour the wine into a large saucepan and add the orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise.
Add the sugar or honey, starting with the smaller amount.
Warm over a low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring now and then until the sugar has dissolved. The wine should be steaming, but never bubbling.
Taste and add a little more sugar or honey if you like it sweeter.
Stir in the brandy or Port, if using.
Strain into heatproof glasses or mugs and serve warm, with a slice of orange in each glass.

Tips for the perfect mulled wine

Use whole spices: ground spices make the wine cloudy and gritty, while whole ones are easy to strain out.
Go easy on the cloves: they have a strong flavour that can quickly take over, so start with fewer and add more if needed.
Sweeten little by little: you can always add more sugar or honey, but you can’t take it out.
Serve it in heatproof glasses or mugs: thin wine glasses can crack with hot liquid.

Why you should never boil mulled wine

It’s tempting to turn up the heat, but boiling is the one thing to avoid. It drives off some of the alcohol, and it can make the spices taste bitter and the wine taste stewed. A gentle heat gives the spices time to infuse and keeps the flavours fresh and balanced.

Mulled wine gently warming in a saucepan with spices and orange

How can you make mulled wine ahead?

Mulled wine is ideal for entertaining, because you can make it in advance. Prepare it a few hours before your guests arrive, strain out the spices once it has infused, then reheat it gently when you’re ready to serve.

To keep it warm during a party, leave the pan on the lowest heat, or transfer it to a slow cooker on its low or “keep warm” setting.

If you have any left over, strain out the spices and fruit, then keep it in a sealed bottle or jug in the fridge. Like any open bottle of wine, it’s best within 2 to 3 days. Reheat it gently, without boiling.

What are the best mulled wine variations?

Once you’ve mastered the classic recipe, it’s easy to adapt it to your taste.

White mulled wine

For a lighter, fresher version, use a dry, fruity white wine such as Pinot Grigio or an unoaked Chardonnay. Swap the orange for sliced apple or pear, and add a little fresh ginger or a vanilla pod alongside the cinnamon. Honey works particularly well here.

Alcohol-free mulled wine

For drivers, children or anyone avoiding alcohol, replace the wine with red grape juice, apple juice or a mix of both. Leave out the sugar at first, as fruit juice is already sweet, and add the same spices and orange.

Mulled wine with a splash of brandy or Port

For a richer, warming version, add a small splash of brandy, Cointreau or Port just before serving. Add it at the end so that the heat doesn’t cook off the extra alcohol.

A mug of mulled wine served with mince pies

What food goes with mulled wine?

Mulled wine is sweet and spiced, so it works best with festive snacks and desserts rather than a main meal. Some of our favourite matches include:

Mince pies, the classic British pairing
Gingerbread and spiced biscuits, which echo the spices in the wine
Christmas cake or a chocolate yule log, though the sweeter the dessert, the sweeter your mulled wine should be (here are more ideas for yule log pairings)
Cheese, especially a strong blue cheese like Stilton or a mature Cheddar
Roasted chestnuts, for the full Christmas market experience

If you’re planning a full festive menu, our guide to Christmas wine pairings has a wine for every course, and our hearty winter dish pairings will see you through the rest of the season.

FAQ

Can you use cheap wine for mulled wine?

Yes, an inexpensive wine is perfect for mulled wine, as the spices and sugar will cover its finer details. Just make sure it’s a wine you’d be happy to drink on its own.

Can you reheat mulled wine?

Yes, you can reheat mulled wine gently on the hob or in a slow cooker. Keep the heat low and don’t let it boil.

How long does mulled wine keep?

Once made, mulled wine keeps for 2 to 3 days in a sealed container in the fridge. Strain out the spices first, so they don’t make the wine bitter.

Can you make mulled wine in a slow cooker?

Yes, a slow cooker is a great way to make and serve mulled wine for a party. Warm it on the low setting for an hour or two, then switch to “keep warm”.