This is a simple mulled wine recipe that you can make on a cold day or for a winter holiday. Easy to make, delicious to share and drink.

This summer I joined a group of bloggers to share a summer cocktail with you every weekend. I had a blast making these drinks and the receipts were so well received. So we’re back at it, today is the first day of our fall cocktail series! You can find new fall cocktails here every Saturday for the next 5 weeks, starting today with my recipe for mulled wine.

At the end of this post you will find 8 other fall cocktails that I know you will want to check out and pin for later. These drinks are perfect for mild days, holiday dinners and chilly nights.

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Mulled wine is known by many names around the world. It’s a mixture of red wine, citrus and spices that is simmered and served warm. It’s an amazingly flavorful drink that pairs perfectly with a holiday meal or a book by the fire.

You can alter the recipe below to fit your tastes, I encourage you to experiment with different combinations until you find the perfect flavor for your mulled wine.

My favorite spices to add to mulled wine

Cinnamon sticks. These whole sticks pack a lot of flavor and release it into the liquid it’s soaking in. These are also great in a cup of hot mulled apple cider.
Star anise. A beautifully shaped seed pod with a hint of licorice flavor adds a delicious taste and fun look to your drink.
Whole cloves. These give the drink a fall like flavor and are easy to scoop out after simmering and before drinking.
Orange slices. This citrus is perfectly sweet and in season during winter. It’s the perfect citrus option for mulled wine. Cranberries also taste great in mulled wine.

Mulled Wine Recipe

A good mulled wine starts with a bottle of dry red wine like cabernet sauvignon and a small amount of dark liquor like brandy or honey whiskey. Season the mulled wine with cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves and orange slices. Finally add a bit of honey for sweetness.

You can add spiced individually like i did in this recipe, or pick up a bag of mulling spices already mixed and add that to the mix.

I like to simmer mine in a slow cooker, but you can also do this over the stove. Do not boil the mulled wine! This will burn off the alcohol. Simmer it on low for about 15 minutes up to a few hours. The longer it simmers the deeper the flavor of the mulled wine. An added bonus, your home will smell amazing while this simmers.

When you are ready to serve the mulled wine, strain it to remove the spices and orange slices or just ladle around them. Serve warm in mugs and add a fresh cinnamon stick, star anise and orange slice to garnish.

Mulled Wine

Name: Mulled Wine
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 750 ml bottle dry red wine; .25 cup honey whiskey; 2 cinnamon sticks, extra for garnish; 6 whole cloves; 2 star anise, extra for garnish; 1 orange, sliced, extra for garnish; 2 tbsp honey

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Make this warm and flavorful drink to enjoy on chilly fall and winter days.

Ingredients

1 750 ml bottle dry red wine
.25 cup honey whiskey
2 cinnamon sticks, extra for garnish
6 whole cloves
2 star anise, extra for garnish
1 orange, sliced, extra for garnish
2 tbsp honey

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a covered slow cooker and stir well. Simmer, do not boil, for 15 minutes to 2 hours.
Strain or ladle mulled wine into mugs and serve warm with a garnish of orange slice, cinnamon stick and star anise.
Substitute honey whiskey for brandy or liquor of your choice.
Vary the amount of spices and honey according to your taste.

Notes

This recipe can be made on the stove. Follow the directions above and cook on a low simmer.

This recipe not only taste delicious, but it will fill your home with sweet seasonal scents while simmering.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 254Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 9mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 1g