Easy Stovetop Mulled Red Wine

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An easy mulled red wine recipe full of cozy winter spices, fresh oranges, and brandy. In just 15 minutes you’ll be warming up with homemade spiced wine!

Mulled or “spiced” wine is the perfect cozy cold-weather drink to make and sip on a blustery day.

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When I was little, mulled wine conjured up images of English lords sitting around big wooden halls with roaring fires and a couple of hounds lounging nearby.

(When I was little I was also pretty convinced I was going to grow up to be an English lord. So the image was very appealing.)

According to Vivino, mulled wine has been around since the 2nd century when Romans shared their wisdom with the world.

Adding spices and herbs to it was a European twist. And somehow it became associated with Christmas and cold-weather coziness. (Who wants to drink warm wine when it’s hot out?)

Interested in more red wine options? Check out this guide to pairing red wine and meat!

TL;DR

• Slice an orange into rounds, size doesn’t matter. (Regarding orange slices in wine only…)
• Pour 1 bottle of dry red wine into a saucepan 
• Add some brandy, port, vermouth or other liqueur
• Add in oranges, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and star anise
• Heat over medium heat until small bubbles form. (Do not boil, you’ll lose the alcohol!)
• Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Or cook on low for 4 hours
• Serve in mugs. Garnish with cinnamon and orange twists.

If you’re looking for the perfect cozy Christmas cocktail or Thanksgiving big batch cocktail, this one is perfect! It’s easy to make and simple to increase for a crowd.

It also makes great sipping alongside a cozy stove-top beef stew or creamy soups like hearty roast pumpkin soup or brown butter butternut squash soup!

What wine should I use for mulled wine?

This recipe is specifically for red mulled wine. So…red!

More specifically, use a dry red wine. Dry wines tend to have a bit more spice and earthy flavor. Perfect for cozy winter sipping. And you’re adding oranges, spices, and possibly sweetener so you don’t want something sweet already!

Struggling to find one? Check out this list of wines you need to by before the holidays!

But remember, mulling and heating changes the flavor of the wine. So don’t worry too much about which wine you buy. Still in the affordable range. Don’t splurge on this bottle!

You should go for something pretty cheap and dress it up with spices and additional alcohol.

Remember: mulling red wine is a great way to use up a bottle you don’t particularly like!

What spices should I use for mulled red wine?

The specific spices and herbs you choose is really up to you. 

There are a few traditional flavors that tend to be fairly festive and pair well with dry reds: oranges, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and anise.

Some people peel their oranges so the peel doesn’t impart any bitter notes. I prefer the peel on. The zest really adds to the citrus notes in the finished mulled red wine.

I add in cardamom because it adds such a unique, rich flavor. A slightly sweet, slightly earthy, piney, fruity flavor.

Fresh grated ginger also adds a cozy warmth and spice to your wine.

• Other Fruits: lemon, pears, apples, raisins, quince, dried cherries, dried cranberries
• Unique Spices: Black pepper, fennel seeds, juniper berries
• Herbs: rosemary, thyme, sage, fresh fennel, mint, rose 

Sweeteners

Many mulled wine recipes include a sweetener like honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup.

By all means add some if you like your mulled wine sweet. 

I find adding any additional sweetener makes my wine too dessert-y. 

I prefer sipping slightly tart or spicy wine. Too much sweetener takes away from the natural flavors of the wine and all the cozy spices you worked so hard to add. (Remember you also already added oranges!)

Does any extra alcohol go in mulled red wine?

Yes! Especially if you want richer flavor and more alcohol!

What liqueur you choose is up to you. The traditional choices are brandy, vermouth, or port.

I usually go for brandy since it’s a bit sweeter and I don’t need to add as much honey. Port makes a sweet rich, fruity option if I have it around.

But if you like peach schnapps…go for that. I guess?

Heating Mulled Red Wine

This recipe is simple, I don’t know why you keep asking so many questions!

Heat over medium heat until it’s simmering. (This means itty-bitty bubbles. You’re not boiling it.)

It really only takes about 15-20 minutes for the wine to heat and all the flavors to mingle.

Alternatively, you can put it in your slow cooker and heat on low for 4 hours. That works just as well! You also get much more intense spice flavor. But it takes much longer.

What happens if I accidentally boil my mulled wine?

Depending on how long you may have boiled away the alcohol. 

To boil it to 25% alcohol takes an hour, so you probably won’t suffer this fate…

But if by some miracle it does, just add in ½ cup brandy. And don’t do it next time!

I really should put this recipe on my list of 7 easy fall cocktails you can make with ingredients you already have!

How to make Big Batch Easy Stovetop Mulled Red Wine

Up-sizing this cocktail is very easy! Just buy 1 bottle of wine for every two guests. Then use math (gasp!) to expand the recipe by the number of bottles you buy.

If you buy 2 bottles, double the recipe and add 2 times the brandy, spices, and optional sweetener. If you buy 3 bottles, triple it…etc.