• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
It's Not Complicated Recipes
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Kitchen Tips
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Get in touch
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Get in touch
×
Home » Recipe Index » Drinks

Easy Mulled Wine

Published: Oct 15, 2021 · Updated: Oct 15, 2021 Author: Alexandra Cook

For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

178 shares
Leave Review

It could not be easier to make your own classic Mulled Wine. Simply combine a bottle of red wine with some spices and aromatics and place all the ingredients into a saucepan. Heat over low heat until barely a simmer and keep on the stove for about 10 minutes to infuse the flavours. Then, sit back and enjoy. It is that easy!

Two glasses with wine in it, with some cinnamon, star anise and orange.
Jump to:
  • Why we love this recipe:
  • Ingredients in this recipe:
  • Step by Step Instructions:
  • Tips for Success and FAQs:
  • Serving suggestions:
  • Easy Mulled Wine

Why we love this recipe:

This traditional drink is ideal to sip on during the colder months of the year. It is easily made, and as it gently simmers on the stove, your home is filled with the tantalising aroma of its spices.

Mulled Wine is a drink that is made from wine, most often red, which is heated with spices, citrus, a sweetener of some kind and sometimes a spirit. This classic, warm and comforting drink has been enjoyed since the days of Ancient Rome.

Some of the reasons we love Mulled Wine are:

  • It is quick and easy to make – ideal for a casual weeknight or for entertaining.
  • There is little hands-on time, so you can serve a crowd with minimal effort. For larger groups, it is easy to double or triple the recipe.
  • On a bleak day, a glass of this sweet, spiced drink will immediately stimulate your senses and provide a sense of comfort and warmth.
  • You can customise the spices and aromatics to suit your taste.

Ingredients in this recipe:

Ingredients in this recipe on a white background.

Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

Red wine – don’t use the best quality and don’t use the worst. Choose a moderately priced wine that you would enjoy drinking.

Orange slices – they look festive and add citrus flavour.

Lemon zest – adds a bright note.

Cloves – this is a powerful spice; a little goes a long way. It adds warmth as well as sweetness and a slight trace of bitterness.

Cardamom – fragrant, citrusy and spicy, it complements the cloves and star anise.

Star Anise – this is a warm and sweet spice.

Cinnamon stick – adds further warmth and depth of flavour, and makes a great garnish.

Honey – it is easy to dissolve in the wine, but you can use caster/superfine sugar if you prefer.

Brandy – optional but it does add depth of flavour. If you don’t want to include the brandy, just leave it out.

Step by Step Instructions:

Steps 1-2 of preparing this recipe in a photo collage - the ingredients in a saucepan and the mulled wine.
  1. Pour the wine into a medium sized saucepan and add the orange slices, the lemon zest, the cloves, cardamom pods, star anise and honey. Alternatively, you can make your own spice bag. Just put the three spices into a small square of muslin and tie with string. It is easy to remove the spices when the Mulled Wine is ready.
  2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat down to low, give the wine a stir and continue to simmer very gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the brandy, if using. Ladle the mixture, through a small strainer, into heatproof glasses. Garnish if you wish with a cinnamon stick, star anise or orange slice.

Tips for Success and FAQs:

You can customise this recipe to suit your personal taste. If you prefer, you could add nutmeg or some slivers of ginger. If you like some spicy heat, you could even add a dried chilli. The options are endless.

What is the best wine for Mulled Wine?

Your wine selection is important. Do not use a top-quality wine; keep that to savour on another occasion. However, it is best if you don’t settle on the cheapest one you can buy either. Choose an inexpensive red wine that you would enjoy drinking with a casual meal. Do not choose a sweet red wine. Shiraz/Syrah, Cabernet sauvignon or a Burgundy are some grape varieties that would be suitable. It is best to use a sturdy, robust wine that will complement the spices. A lighter wine may be overwhelmed by them.

What are the spices used to flavour the wine?

I have used whole cloves, cardamom, a cinnamon stick and star anise as they are easy to remove before serving.

What is the best way to prepare the Mulled Wine?

Although it is not difficult to make, do not rush the process. Treat it gently and heat it slowly; this allows the spices to properly infuse. Heat it until it is hot but able to be carefully sipped. Do not boil the wine.

How far in advance can you prepare it?

The Mulled Wine is best served straight away, but you can store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 24 hours and reheat before drinking.

Serving suggestions:

Serve in a heatproof glass mug or sturdy glass. If you don’t have any, serve in ceramic mugs. The wine should be hot but able to be sipped.

If making for a festive occasion, serve with a Homemade Fruit Mince Pie. For something savoury, try my Blue Cheese Puff Pastry Tarts.

Up close shot of glass with wine in it, with some cinnamon, star anise and orange.

For many, a Christmas celebration is not complete without Mulled Wine. With the addition of aromatic spices, it fills your home with the aromas that we associate with Christmas.

This celebratory drink is more associated with the festive season in the northern hemisphere. It would be rare here in Australia to be able to enjoy this tipple on Christmas day.

Each year, as cooler nights approach, I look forward, with great anticipation, to enjoying a warm and comforting glass of Mulled Wine.

It does conjure up images of a warm, cosy fire, although, for many of us, the reality is different. Many of us don’t have a fire so I like to light a few candles, they create a great atmosphere.

I encourage you to try this beautiful drink. It’s worth making just for the aroma that fills the air.

Alex xx

Overhead shot of saucepan with wine ingredients.

Easy Mulled Wine

It is so easy to make your own Mulled Wine. Simply combine red wine with some spices and aromatics and heat over low heat to properly infuse.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Review
Course: Cocktails, Drinks
Cuisine: International
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 5 drinks
Calories: 191kcal
Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

Please note:

For accuracy, when weights are provided, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results. All oven temperatures listed are for fan forced.

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle of red wine (750 ml) See Note 1
  • 1 orange – sliced
  • ½ lemon – peel only
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 2 cardamom pods
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 star anise
  • 2 ½ tablespoon honey or maple syrup – or more to taste See Notes 2 and 3
  • 2 tablespoon brandy – optional See Note 3

To serve:

  • a small slice of orange, whole star anise and cinnamon stick – optional

Instructions

  • Pour the wine into a medium-sized saucepan together with the orange slices, lemon zest, cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, star anise and honey.
  • Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
  • Turn the heat down, give a stir, then very gently simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Halfway through, taste for sweetness, adding a little extra honey if you prefer it sweeter.
  • Take off the heat and add the brandy, if using.
  • Pass through a sieve to catch the spices and orange and lemon zest.
  • Serve warm in heatproof glasses.

Notes

  1. You don’t have to buy an expensive bottle of red wine. A full bodied basic red wine is ideal. Choose something that you enjoy drinking.
  2.  You can use more honey, to taste. We use honey, as it dissolves easier than sugar. You could also use Maple Syrup if you prefer.
  3. In Australia, the tablespoon is 20 ml or 4 teaspoons. In many other countries, the tablespoon is 15 ml or 3 teaspoons. Please adjust the measurement if necessary.
  4. Use whole spices, and then pass the mulled wine through a sieve. Ground spices leave a grittiness in the mulled wine.
  5. Please note, the nutritional information is based on the Mulled Wine serving five people. The nutritional information is an estimate only.
Made this recipe? We’d be so grateful if you could leave a comment and rating at the bottom of the page!

Nutrition Estimate:

Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 261mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional Disclaimer:

The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.

« Gluten-Free Fruit Mince Pies
White Chocolate Rocky Road »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Haydonj

    January 20, 2023 at 4:36 am

    5 stars
    Thanks, easy recipe and great taste. In addition its good to be able to print off a recipe and get it on just. 2 pages.

    Reply
    • Alexandra

      January 20, 2023 at 5:20 pm

      Thank you so much for your lovely comments on the Mulled Wine. I am so pleased that you enjoyed it and appreciate that you took the time to let me know. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jean

    October 22, 2021 at 11:44 am

    5 stars
    Easy and delicious. Smells incredible too.

    Reply
    • Alexandra

      October 28, 2021 at 9:26 am

      Hello Jean, I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Mulled Wine – it is such a comforting drink. Thank you for letting me know. 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Alex.

Welcome to It’s Not Complicated Recipes!

My blog reflects my approach to cooking. I like it to be simple, easily prepared and delicious. 

Learn more

Popular Recipes

  • Round dish of cooked patties sitting on some baking paper, garnished with parsley.
    Chickpea Patties (Vegan and Gluten Free)
  • Overhead shot of Lemon Curd Cake, with a slice missing, sitting on a round white dish.
    Lemon Curd Cake (Gluten-Free Option)
  • up close bowl of soup on a grey cloth, another bowl in the background to the right, some sliced bread to the left and two silver spoons on the side.
    Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup
  • Gluten-Free Almond Cookies

Comfort Food

  • Skillet with a tomato sauce and the ricotta gnocchi sitting on top, with a wooden spoon about to combine them.
    Gnocchi di Ricotta (Ricotta Gnocchi)
  • Eggplant Involtini – Italian comfort food
  • Overhead shot of cooked casserole, sitting on a brown cloth, with some parsley, feta and olives around the edge.
    Mediterranean Chicken Casserole
  • Bowl of mac and cheese.
    Bacon Mac and Cheese

Recent Recipes

  • Date and Lemon Buttermilk Scones on a baking paper lined baking tray.
    Date and Lemon Scones
  • Photo collage of four dip recipes - green goddess, cannellini bean, tuna and whipped ricotta.
    The Best Dip Recipes
  • Open glass jar of Nectarine Chutney, sitting on a small white plate, with a spoon scooping up some chutney.
    Nectarine Chutney
  • Round bowl of Chocolate Raspberry Porridge topped with yoghurt, flaked almonds and raspberries, with a spoon on the edge.
    Chocolate Raspberry Porridge (Stovetop Oatmeal)

Footer

About

  • Our Story
  • Recipes
  • Blog

Disclaimers

  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Policy (GDPR)
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Terms Of Use

Contact

  • Contact
  • Subscribe

↑ back to top

COPYRIGHT © 2025 · IT'S NOT COMPLICATED RECIPES® | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

178 shares