Easy Spiced Mulled Wine
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Updated Dec 12, 2025, Published Dec 13, 2020
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There’s something magical about a pot of Easy Spiced Mulled Wine simmering on the stove. The moment those warm spices hit the heat — canela, cloves, star anise — your whole home smells like the holidays. This is the cozy drink I love to make when friends stop by, when we’re putting up the Christmas tree, or when Colorado gives us one of those chilly evenings that calls for a little something warm in your mug.
If you’ve never made mulled wine before, you’ll be surprised by how simple it is. A bottle of red wine, a few pantry spices, some citrus, and a touch of sweetness… that’s it. It feels festive and fancy, but it couldn’t be easier.
Table of Contents
What is Mulled Wine?
Mulled wine is a warm, spiced wine traditionally enjoyed during the winter months throughout Europe — especially at Christmas markets. It’s gently heated with aromatic spices and citrus until it becomes cozy, fragrant, and absolutely perfect for holiday gatherings.
Think of it as the European cousin of Ponche Navideno — comforting, fruity, and meant to be shared.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this easy mulled wine recipe because it’s:
- Simple to make with minimal ingredients
- Warm, cozy, and perfect for entertaining
- Customizable with your favorite spices or fruit
- Budget-friendly, since it works with any decent bottle of red wine
- A stovetop or slow cooker friendly recipe
Ingredients & Substitutions
This holiday mulled wine comes together with just a handful of ingredients.
Scroll to the printable recipe card for full quantities.
- Red wine – Use an affordable, medium-bodied wine such as Merlot, Zinfandel, or Cabernet. No need for anything pricey.
- Cognac – You can also add a splash of Cointreau, Triple Sec, or any orange liqueur you have on hand for extra warmth and citrus flavor. If you want the flavor without the additional alcohol, simply replace it with a bit of apple cider.
- Apples – Adds natural sweetness and flavor. Use any variety.
- Cinnamon sticks (canela) – The heart of the recipe.
- Whole cloves – Add warmth and depth.
- Star anise – Optional but adds lovely sweetness.
- Orange slices – Fresh, bright citrus notes.
- Honey or sugar (optional) – Add more or less depending on your taste. You can also use piloncillo for a deeper flavor.
Substitutions
- Swap red wine for white wine for a lighter version.
- Use apple cider for a non-alcoholic mulled wine.
- Replace honey with maple syrup, agave, or piloncillo.
Optional Variations
This recipe has not been tested with all of these variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
- Slow Cooker Mulled Wine – Simmer on low for 1–2 hours in a small crockpot.
- White Mulled Wine – Use a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc.
- Spicy Mulled Wine – Add a slice of fresh ginger.
- Citrus Mulled Wine – Add grapefruit or lemon slices.
How to Make Easy Spiced Mulled Wine
Step 1: Combine ingredients. Add wine, apple slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, orange slices, and honey to a pot.
Step 2: Warm gently. Simmer over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes. Do not boil. Keeping the heat low preserves the flavor and keeps the alcohol from evaporating.
Step 3: Taste and adjust. Add additional honey if you want it sweeter.
Step 4: Serve warm. Use a ladle to pour into heatproof mugs. Garnish with an orange slice or cinnamon stick.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve in mugs with a cinnamon stick for stirring.
- Like my Mexican fruit sangria, the fruit is completely edible and adds a festive bit of fun to each glass.
- Pair with holiday desserts like Mexican buñuelos, sweet Mexican empanadas, or Mexican polvorones.
- Offer brandy on the side for guests who prefer a stronger mulled wine.
Easy Spiced Mulled Wine Tips & Tricks
- Keep the heat low to avoid boiling off the alcohol.
- Use whole spices, not ground, for a cleaner flavor and clearer drink.
- Add sweetener last, tasting as you go. Wines vary in sweetness.
- Make ahead and gently rewarm before serving.
Storage & Reheating
- Store leftover mulled wine in a sealed jar or airtight container or mason jar for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheat gently over low heat — never boil.
Frequently Asked Questions
I used an inexpensive bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, but Merlot, Malbec, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, or any red blend would also be delicious. If you’re making a big batch or planning on a very merry gathering, you can even use boxed wine. Just keep in mind that one box equals about four 750-ml bottles.
Yes — cook on low for 1 to 2 hours, then switch to warm for serving.
Absolutely. Replace the wine with apple cider, hibiscus tea, or a mix of juices.
Use a slow cooker on warm or keep it simmering on the lowest stovetop setting.
Yes, just warm it gently on low heat. Avoid boiling.
More Cozy Holiday Recipes
If you tried this Easy Spiced Mulled Wine or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Summarize & Save This Content On
Easy Spiced Mulled Wine
Ingredients
- 1 (750-ml) bottle dry red wine, (recommended Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 1/2 cup cognac orange liqueur or apple cider
- 1 apple, sliced
- 1 orange or 2 tangerines, sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise
- 3 cloves
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey (optional)
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into a pot and stir to combine on medium heat. To store leftovers, allow the wine to come to room temperature and strain fruit and spices. I like to pour in a mason jar and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Heat until the wine just reaches a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes. (Avoid letting it boil — you don’t want to boil off the alcohol or become bitter).
- Keep warm in a slow cooker for up to 3 hours.
- Serve warm in mugs or glasses with some of the cooked fruit and spices.
Notes
- I used an inexpensive bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, but Merlot, Malbec, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, or any red blend works beautifully.
- You can also use boxed wine if serving a crowd. One box equals about four 750-ml bottles.
- Add a splash of cognac, Cointreau, Triple Sec, or any orange liqueur for extra warmth and citrus notes.
- For the same flavor without the added alcohol, replace orange liqueur with apple cider.
- Keep the heat low to avoid boiling off the alcohol and to help the spices gently infuse the wine.
- Sweeten to taste. Some wines are naturally sweeter than others, so start with less honey and adjust as needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Jenna Sparks
This was my first time making mulled wine, and I’m now obsessed. I’ll probably make it at random times throughout the year now haha. I added allspice berries because I had them on hand, but everything was else was as-is. Lovely recipe, thank you!