Best Mulled Wine Recipe

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This best mulled wine recipe is the perfect winter cocktail. It's full of flavor from the red wine, whole spices, and fresh orange and apple slices. Since it's served warm, it's the best way to warm up on a cold winter day!

A glass of the best mulled wine recipe garnished with a cinnamon stick and orange slice, with another glass in the background. A large pinecone decorated with lights and bottle of wine in the background along with orange slices, whole spices, and rosemary sprigs.

Mulled Wine with Apple Cider

Adding different juices to mulled wine can bring such a variety of flavors. Apple cider or apple juice is one of my favorite juices to add because it's a classic fall and winter beverage! The sweetness from the apple and warmth from the cinnamon make mulled wine even more delicious. I also love adding sliced apple to enhance the apple flavor. If apple isn't your thing, you can also use fresh orange juice!

Overhead shot of the best mulled wine recipe. The glasses are garnished with a cinnamon stick and orange slice. A plate with more orange slices and a cork is in the upper right corner. Star anise and rosemary sprigs scattered around the scene.

Best Wine for Mulled Wine

I would recommend a cabernet sauvignon, merlot, or pinot noir. Since this recipe adds apple juice (and honey if you choose), a drier wine would balance out the sweetness. You can use a sweeter red if you'd like, just keep in the mind the end product may be pretty sweet!

While on the topic of best wine for mulled wine, I want to add that you don't have to spend a ton of money on an expensive wine for this recipe. Since there are so many flavors added and inexpensive wines tend to be fruitier, you don't need to use an expensive wine here!

A glass of the best mulled wine recipe garnished with a cinnamon stick and orange slice. Another glass is on the left of the frame and a plate of orange slices is in the background with a large pinecone decorated with lights and a wine bottle. Star anise and rosemary sprigs are scattered around the scene.

Ingredient Highlights - Best Mulled Wine Recipe

Red wine - like I said above, a cabernet sauvignon, merlot, or pinot noir would work great in this recipe. You can use an inexpensive wine as well! Red wine actually contains antioxidants, particularly resveratrol, which is found in the skin of grapes. However, you would need to consume quite a bit of wine to really see any health benefit from this antioxidant, at which point you would see more negative effects!
Apple cider or 100% apple juice - this brings sweetness and some of those "holiday feelings" to the mulled wine. Whenever buying juice, opt for 100% fruit juice (check the ingredients label)! This will cut back on added sugar content. Orange juice would also work great! Both apple and orange juices contain a good amount of vitamin C.
Whole spices - these are one of the stars of the recipe, in my opinion. Mulled wine is known for being served warm and full of warm spices. I use whole cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise to give this mulled wine the classic spiced flavor.
Sweetener - this is totally optional but if you prefer sweeter beverages, you can add some honey or maple syrup!
Fresh fruit - another classic mulled wine ingredient is sliced fruit. Sliced oranges and apples give this mulled wine extra flavor (and nutrients!). The fruit is cooked in the wine so flavors and nutrients like vitamin C transfer into the wine.
Liquor - this is another optional ingredient for a mulled wine recipe. If you want your mulled wine extra boozy, you can add your favorite liquor!

Recipe FAQ

What type of wine works best for mulled wine?

A cabernet sauvignon, merlot, or pinot noir work best for mulled wine. A drier, less expensive wine is perfect! You can also use white wine but red is more traditional.

Can you overcook mulled wine?

Yes. You want to be careful not to boil the wine as this will result in a bitter flavor!

Can you reheat mulled wine?

Absolutely! You can either reheat it over low heat on the stove or warm it in the microwave. You just want to be careful to not let it boil!

A glass of the best mulled wine recipe garnished with an orange slice in the main frame and another glass in the bottom right corner. A beige linen and large pinecone are in the background. Whole spices (cinnamon sticks, star anise) and rosemary sprigs are scattered around the scene.

Other Recipes You May Like

A glass of the best mulled wine recipe garnished with a cinnamon stick and orange slice. More orange slices, another glass of mulled wine, and a pinecone decorated with lights in the background. Whole spices (cinnamon stick, star anise) and rosemary sprigs scattered around the scene.

Rate & Review

If you made the best mulled wine recipe, please rate and review it below! I would love to hear your feedback. Also snap a photo and tag me on insta @theperfectpearr so I can see your creation!