Embrace the enchanting aromas and comforting warmth of the holiday season with this incredibly simple mulled wine recipe. Whether you’re hosting a grand festive gathering or enjoying a cozy evening by the fire, this spiced beverage is guaranteed to infuse your home and heart with warmth and joy. Crafted with a rich blend of aromatic spices and zesty citrus, mulled wine offers a fragrant flavor profile that’s both inviting and deeply satisfying. Best of all, it’s remarkably easy to prepare, simmering gently on your stovetop or effortlessly in your slow cooker. If you’re seeking the quintessential holiday drink, this delightful mulled wine is an absolute must-try!
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Unlocking the Magic of Mulled Wine: A Festive Tradition
As the crisp autumn air gives way to the joyful anticipation of winter, the holiday season truly begins to sparkle. This special time of year, often celebrated with heartfelt gatherings, delectable food, and cheerful spirits, becomes even more magical with the inclusion of seasonal beverages. While our holidays often revolve around elaborate main courses, tempting appetizers, and decadent desserts, we believe that a truly memorable celebration isn’t complete without a signature drink. This year, we’re elevating our festive spread by introducing a spectacular mulled wine – a drink that promises to be as much a part of the cherished memories as the feasts themselves.
Mulled wine, known by various names such as Glühwein in Germany or Vin Chaud in France, boasts a rich history dating back to ancient Roman times. Romans would heat wine with spices to both warm themselves and ward off illness, spreading this tradition across their empire. Over centuries, the recipe evolved, becoming a quintessential European winter warmer and eventually a beloved holiday staple worldwide. The beauty of mulled wine lies in its ability to transform a simple bottle of red wine into an aromatic elixir, perfuming your home with an irresistible blend of cinnamon, cloves, and citrus. It’s more than just a drink; it’s an experience, a sensory journey that evokes comfort, nostalgia, and festive cheer.
Crafting the Perfect Spiced Wine: Ingredients and Tips
The foundation of an exceptional mulled wine begins with carefully selected ingredients. For the wine, choose a dry, fruit-forward red that isn’t too expensive – a Malbec, Syrah (Shiraz), Merlot, or any robust red blend works wonderfully. Avoid overly tannic or oak-heavy wines, as these can become bitter when heated. The goal is a smooth, approachable base that will meld harmoniously with the spices.
Next, the supporting cast of flavors: raw apple cider brings a delightful tartness and sweetness that complements the wine beautifully, adding another layer of autumnal warmth. Fresh oranges and apples are crucial for their bright, fresh notes. We use one orange sliced into rounds for simmering and another for optional garnishes, along with a sliced apple, to infuse the wine with fruity sweetness and a touch of crispness.
The heart of mulled wine, of course, lies in its aromatic spices. Whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise are non-negotiable for that classic, inviting fragrance and flavor. These spices release their essential oils slowly as they simmer, creating a complex and deeply comforting aroma that fills your kitchen. For those who prefer a touch more sweetness, a tablespoon or two of pure maple syrup can be added, allowing you to customize the drink to your preference without artificial sweeteners.
Elevate Your Mulled Wine: A Touch of Bourbon Magic
While traditional mulled wine is delightful on its own, we love to kick things up a notch with a special addition: a hint of brown sugar bourbon. This simple inclusion transforms the beverage, adding a layer of rich, caramelized sweetness and a subtle smoky depth that perfectly complements the existing spice and citrus notes. For this particular recipe, we discovered the Heritage Distilling Spirits Advent Calendar, a treasure trove filled with 24 mini-bottles of various spirits. Among the diverse selection of bourbons, whiskeys, vodkas, and gins, the brown sugar bourbon stood out as the ideal companion for our warm holiday drink, imparting a unique and sophisticated twist. The convenience of these mini-bottles makes experimenting with different spirits incredibly fun and easy, allowing you to tailor your mulled wine to your exact taste.
Spread the Holiday Cheer with Unique Gifts
Are you searching for a unique gift or an exciting stocking stuffer this holiday season? The Heritage Distilling Spirits Advent Calendar offers a wonderfully festive way to spread some holiday cheer! Imagine gifting this fun box, filled with 24 small, airplane-sized bottles (50ml each) of 11 different kinds of spirits, to a friend, colleague, or family member. It’s an interactive gift that provides a daily dose of discovery leading up to Christmas. You could even bring it to an office party to share, or use individual bottles as thoughtful stocking stuffers. Of course, there’s absolutely no judgment if you decide to keep the entire box to yourself and enjoy trying a wide array of spirits. To sweeten the deal, you can order online and save $10 off any advent calendar with the exclusive discount code RSG10! It’s an excellent opportunity to explore new flavors or stock up on miniature delights for your holiday concoctions.
Your Turn To Try This Simple Mulled Wine Recipe
As the holiday season beckons, and if you’re on the hunt for a truly special festive beverage, look no further than this warm and wonderfully cozy mulled wine recipe. You’ll be amazed by how incredibly easy it is to prepare, and your guests will undoubtedly savor the unique, rich, and aromatic flavors of this boozy, spicy, and citrus-infused holiday drink. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any winter gathering, offering comfort and sophistication in every sip.
We genuinely encourage you to give this recipe a try. When you do, please take a moment to leave a comment below and share your experience. Your feedback helps our community of home cooks and brings more joy to others. Don’t forget to snap a picture of your beautiful creation and share it! Tag us on Instagram @realsimplegood, and give us a follow if you haven’t already. We love seeing your culinary adventures!
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Simple Mulled Wine Recipe (Stove Top or Slow Cooker)
10 mins
10 mins
20 mins
This simple mulled wine recipe will make you feel all warm and fuzzy. It’s the perfect warmed spiced beverage for any holiday gathering or event! Mulled wine gets its rich, fragrant flavor from the addition of spices and some citrus and can be made with a quick simmer on the stove or in your slow cooker. If you are looking for a delicious holiday drink this simple mulled wine recipe is a must try!
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Ingredients
-
1
bottle
red wine, (malbec, syrah or any red blend work well) -
2
cups
raw apple cider -
2
oranges, (1 optional for garnish) -
1
apple -
8
whole
cloves -
2-3
cinnamon sticks, (plus more for garnish – optional) -
4
whole
star anise, (plus more for garnish – optional) -
1-2
tbsp
maple syrup, (optional, adjust to taste) -
1/4
cup
Heritage Distilling Brown Sugar Bourbon, (vodka or brandy also works well)
Instructions
For the stovetop:
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Slice one orange into rounds, discarding the end pieces. Similarly, slice the apple into rounds, discarding the end pieces and carefully removing the core. These fruit slices will infuse the wine with delicious flavors.
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Place all ingredients (except any optional garnish items) into a large pot or Dutch oven on your stovetop. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until the liquid just barely begins to simmer, showing tiny bubbles around the edges. Crucially, do not allow the liquid to come to a rolling boil, as this can cause the alcohol to evaporate too quickly and alter the wine’s flavor. Immediately reduce the heat to low, ensuring a gentle warmth. Cover the pot and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to marry beautifully, or for up to 3 hours to deepen the spice infusion.
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While the wine is gently simmering, prepare additional orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise for garnish (this step is optional but highly recommended for an appealing presentation). You can slice the second orange into wedges or simply use elegant strips of orange peel.
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Once steeped to your liking, carefully pour the mulled wine through a fine-mesh strainer into individual heat-proof mugs or glasses for serving. This step removes the whole spices and fruit pieces, leaving a smooth beverage. Garnish each serving with your prepared optional items and savor this warm, aromatic holiday delight!
For the slow-cooker:
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Follow step #1 from the stovetop instructions above to prepare your oranges and apple.
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Place all ingredients (excluding optional garnish items) into your slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Allow the mulled wine to cook for 1 hour. After this initial hour, you can either keep the slow cooker on low or switch it to a “keep warm” function, if available, to maintain a perfect serving temperature for several hours without overcooking.
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Follow steps 3-4 from the stovetop instructions above for garnishing and serving your festive mulled wine.
Last Step:
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Drinks
Justin + Erica Winn
American
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**Due to state laws, spirits are not allowed to be shipped to all states. Please check the Heritage Distilling website for further details.