Mulled Wine is the perfect holiday drink. This simple glühwein recipe is delicious and it’s made in under 30 minutes. Holiday Spiced Wine will warm up any chilly night!

Two glasses of glühwein with orange slices and cinnamon sticks.

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Why We Love This Mulled Wine Recipe

  • Cozy. I love curling up with a warm drink throughout the fall and winter season.
  • Festive. Whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and oranges bring on the holiday spirit.
  • Versatile. You can make a non-alcoholic version using grape juice or apple cider as the base. Add the same spices and ingredients, and omit the wine.

Variations on Glühwein

This simple mulled wine recipe is the perfect base for any warm spiced flavors you can think of. Try adding some cardamom pods, black peppercorns, fresh ginger, or a bay leaf. A splash of vanilla extract or spiced rum would also enhance the spicy flavor.

For a fresher taste, try adding different types of citrus, like lemons, grapefruits, or limes for a tangy twist. Or add some cranberry juice for a touch of tartness.

Simple mulled wine recipe, garnished with orange and cinnamon
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How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover mulled wine in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. To reheat it, place it in a pot and let it simmer until warm.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this delicious glühwein at your next holiday party with a charcuterie board, bacon wrapped dates, sausage rolls, or mini quiches. It’s also great with a bowl of comforting beef stew, a prime rib roast, orange cranberry pork loin, or a rack of lamb.

What is mulled wine?

Also known as glühwein, it is an alcoholic drink made with red wine and mulling spices.

What’s the difference between mulled wine and sangria?

This drink is typically served hot, whereas sangria is served cold. Plus, sangria can be made with red or white wine and usually incorporates a lot more fresh fruit.

Is mulled wine very alcoholic?

This drink usually has an alcohol content of around 7%, but it can be as high as 14%, which is about the same as a typical bottle of wine.

What wine is best for mulled wine?

A full-bodied, dry wine works best. Look for bottles that are described as “jammy” or with “notes of vanilla”. I like Cabernet Sauvignon best.

Do you drink mulled wine hot?

Yes, this drink is meant to be served hot.

Can I microwave mulled wine?

Yes, to quickly warm it up, you can microwave glühwein in 30-second increments until hot.

Glass of spiced wine with an orange slice and cinnamon stick sitting on top

More Holiday Cocktails To Try

Recipe Card

Mulled Wine Recipe (Glühwein)

4.50 from 16 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 8
Author: Becky Hardin
Two glasses of glühwein with orange slices and cinnamon sticks.
This perfectly spiced mulled wine recipe is so easy to make, and it's great for the holidays or cold winter months.
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Ingredients 

  • 750 milliliters red wine I like Cabernet Sauvignon (1 bottle)
  • ¼ cup honey or agave nectar
  • 2 cups apple cider not apple cider vinegar!
  • ¼ cup orange liqueur I like Grand Marnier (optional)
  • 1 orange sliced
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 4 cinnamon sticks

Optional Garnishes

  • Star anise
  • Orange slices
  • Cinnamon sticks

Instructions 

  • Bring the wine, honey, cider, orange liqueur, sliced fruit, cloves, and cinnamon sticks to a simmer in a saucepan set over medium-high heat.
    750 milliliters red wine, ¼ cup honey, 2 cups apple cider, ¼ cup orange liqueur, 1 orange, 4 whole cloves, 4 cinnamon sticks
  • Once simmering, reduce to medium-low heat and continue to simmer for about 30 minutes.
  • Strain and serve, garnished with more fruit, star anise, and cinnamon sticks if desired.
    Star anise, Orange slices, Cinnamon sticks
    A pan with mulled wine and orange slices simmering with spices.

Video

Calories: 166kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 89mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 22IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Mulled Wine Step by Step

Combine the Ingredients: Bring 750 milliliters (1 bottle) of red wine, ¼ of honey, 2 cups of apple cider, ¼ cup of orange liqueur, 2 sliced oranges, 4 whole cloves, and 4 cinnamon sticks to a simmer in a saucepan set over medium-high heat.

Simmer the Wine: Once simmering, reduce the mixture to medium-low heat and continue to simmer for about 30 minutes.

Strain and Serve: Strain the mulled wine through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth and serve garnished with more fruit, star anise, and cinnamon sticks if desired.

 

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.50 from 16 votes (15 ratings without comment)
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20 Comments
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Linds
Linds
December 8, 2017 9:07 pm

How long will the wine Last after you have mulled it? Does it get stronger? How long can you store it and should it go in the fridge?

Serene @ House of Yumm
Serene @ House of Yumm
October 11, 2015 4:08 pm

I would definitely take a glass..or two..or more! This looks gorgeous!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
October 11, 2015 7:06 pm

Thank you Serene!!!

Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
October 8, 2015 12:58 pm

That winery looks amazing, I want to go now!! I love a good mulled wine for the holidays, and this is gorgeous!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
October 8, 2015 1:30 pm

Our next blog trip should be to san fran and we can visit Wente!!!! <3

Michelle | A Latte Food
Michelle | A Latte Food
October 8, 2015 11:26 am

The winery is stunning! And so is this drink. Mulled wine is a favorite of mine!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
October 8, 2015 1:31 pm

Thanks so much Michelle!

Cookin Canuck
Cookin Canuck
October 7, 2015 9:10 pm

I’m definitely not ready for Christmas music, but would love a glass of this mulled wine anytime. I’m bookmarking this for the holidays, for sure.

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
October 8, 2015 9:58 am
Reply to  Cookin Canuck

Thank you so much!!

Katerina @ Diethood
Katerina @ Diethood
October 7, 2015 11:07 am

THAT is where I wanna be! Take me awaaaay!
…bring a few bottles, too… :-D

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
October 7, 2015 11:33 am

I’ll def bring a few bottles!!! Miss you girl!

Susie Gall
Susie Gall
October 7, 2015 9:12 am

Save some for us!!!! It looks delicious and I look forward to tasting Entwine Wines. Yum!!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
October 7, 2015 11:34 am
Reply to  Susie Gall

You are going to love it!!

Erin@WellPlated
Erin@WellPlated
October 7, 2015 8:29 am

OK, are you in my brain?? I am OBSESSED with mulled wine and was just thinking about how excited I am to drink it last night. WHY don’t we live closer???

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
October 7, 2015 11:34 am

I WISH WE DID!!!! Ugh that would be so fun. Are you going to blogher food? I need to see you again soon!

Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
October 7, 2015 8:19 am

The queen of beverages is back! Haha. I love this combination and that wine sounds stellar (I need to remember visiting if I ever travel!) I am so excited for this drink with the cold temperature setting in.

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
October 7, 2015 11:35 am

Ha thank you Kacey! You are too sweet!

Beth
Beth
October 7, 2015 8:08 am

Their corks are so fun with their logo on them!! I am so not ready for christmas yet.. but if you put a fake spider on each glass, this could be perfect for halloween too! :)

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
October 7, 2015 11:35 am
Reply to  Beth

I like the way you think!!! And aren’t those corks so cute?!