How to Make Mulled Wine Drinks: Easy Recipes for Winter Entertaining

Mulled wine drinks are the easiest way to turn a winter get-together into an occasion. One pot, a handful of spices, and your kitchen smells of orange peel and cloves before the first guest knocks.

What Are Mulled Wine Drinks?

Mulled wine is red wine warmed gently with spices, citrus and sugar. It is a European winter tradition with a name in every language: Glühwein in Germany, Glögg in Sweden, vin chaud in France. This gives you one reliable classic recipe plus easy variations for entertaining, and skips the history lecture.

How to Choose Wine for Mulled Wine

The best wine for mulled wine is an inexpensive, medium-bodied, fruity red with low tannins. Spices and sugar will cover the finer points of a bottle, so this is the moment to leave the good stuff in the cellar and grab something friendly.

My go-to picks:

• Merlot: soft, plummy and easy to find.
• Zinfandel or Primitivo: jammy, with a little built-in warmth.
• Garnacha or Grenache: bright red fruit that loves cinnamon.
• Malbec: deeper and rounder, great for a bolder pot.

Steer away from heavily oaked or very tannic reds. Heat pulls those qualities forward and the result tastes bitter instead of generous.

Prefer something lighter? Mulled white wine is lovely made with a fruity white such as Riesling or Pinot Grigio (see the variations below).

Mulling Spices and Other Ingredients You’ll Need

The shopping list is short, and most of it lives in the spice drawer already.

Essential mulling spices

• Cinnamon sticks: sweet, woody and the backbone of the pot.
• Whole cloves: a little goes a long way, so count them.
• Star anise: a gentle licorice note that adds depth.
• Cardamom pods: slightly crushed so they release their perfume.
• Orange slices: fresh citrus for brightness.

Sweeteners, citrus and spirits

Brown sugar or honey sweeten the pot, and you can adjust to taste at the end. A splash of spirit is optional but adds a lovely warmth. Brandy or cognac is the classic choice, and an orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau leans into the citrus.

5 Mulled Wine Variations to Try

Each of these starts from the classic recipe above, with a swap or two.

German Glühwein

Use the same base. Glühwein is often served with a shot of rum on the side, so guests can add as much as they like.

Swedish Glögg

Steep the spices in vodka or aquavit first, then add them to the wine. Finish each mug with blanched almonds and raisins for a traditional, spoonable touch.

White Mulled Wine

Swap the red for a fruity white such as Riesling or Pinot Grigio, and add pear or apple slices in place of the orange. It is lighter, brighter and lovely with a cheese board.

Spiced Apple Cider Mulled Wine

Replace half the wine with apple cider. The result is softer and a little sweeter, which makes it a crowd-pleaser for mixed company.

Cherry Mulled Wine

Stir in a splash of cherry juice or cherry liqueur. The fruit deepens the color and adds a berry richness.

Ready for something more involved? Try the vermouth-based Black Forest Mulled Wine as a sixth variation. And if you love a warm drink but want a spirit at the center, the mulled gin recipe makes a happy companion.

Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine

A proper alcohol-free mulled wine deserves its own recipe, not an afterthought. Juice supplies the fruit, and a splash of balsamic vinegar brings the acidity that wine would normally provide. Serves 6.

Ingredients

• 2 cups red grape juice
• 1 cup pomegranate or cranberry juice
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 star anise
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey, to taste

Instructions

1. Combine everything in a pot, tasting the juice first, since some blends are already quite sweet.
2. Heat gently, using the same method as the classic recipe, for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Adjust the sweetness, strain if you like, and serve warm with an orange slice.

This one covers non alcoholic mulled wine, alcohol free mulled wine and 0 mulled wine in a single pot, and it is just as welcome at the table as the original.

Serving, Storing and Making Mulled Wine Ahead

How to serve mulled wine is simple: heatproof mugs or glasses, a ladle, and a fresh slice of orange in each. For more ideas on running the evening, see hosting a cocktail night at home.

Make-ahead and batching for a party

Mulled wine is a host’s best friend. Make it one to two days ahead and reheat gently on the stove, or keep it warm in a slow cooker on low throughout the party. The recipe doubles or triples cleanly for a crowd, so scale the spices along with the wine.

Storage and reheating

Leftover mulled wine keeps 3 to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat it gently on the stove and don’t let it boil.

What to Serve with Mulled Wine

What snacks go with mulled wine? Keep it easy and a little salty-sweet:

• A cheese board
• Roasted nuts
• Gingerbread
• Mince pies
• Pretzels

Want more seasonal inspiration? Browse more holiday drink recipes and our holiday cocktail recipes for the rest of the party menu.

FAQ

What is the 20 minute wine rule? Don’t simmer or boil mulled wine much past 20 minutes. Longer heating turns it bitter and cooks off both the alcohol and the flavor.

Is mulled wine good for a cold? It is a cozy folk remedy, not medicine. The warmth and spices soothe, but it is not a cure.

What’s the best brandy for mulled wine? A mid-range brandy or cognac. Save the sipping bottle for sipping.

Can you make mulled wine in advance? Yes. Make it 1 to 2 days ahead and reheat gently.

Can you double or triple the recipe for a crowd? Yes, it scales cleanly. A slow cooker on low keeps a big batch warm.

How long does mulled wine keep in the fridge? 3 to 5 days in an airtight container.

Can you buy mulled wine premade? Yes. Bottled and ready-made versions are sold at most grocery stores, and some pubs and markets pour it by the cup. Bottled is a handy shortcut when time is short, and homemade lets you control the sweetness and strength.