Cozy up with a steaming mug of mulled wine. Mulled wine is red wine that is heated and flavored with Christmas spices and oranges. So delicious and perfect for cold days. And it’s ready in just 10 minutes!
Why This Recipe Works
I’m usually not a big fan of red wine, but I sure LOVE mulled wine. I absolutely love the smell of this German mulled wine! Is there really a better way to enjoy Christmas season than with a steaming mug of mulled wine?
When the air turns crisp and the holiday season approaches, it’s time for mulled wine. It’s a hot alcoholic beverage that is made with red wine and various spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and star ansiseed.
Sometimes you can also find orange slices and vanilla pods. Overall, it’s incredibly aromatic and just perfect for holiday gatherings.
Mulled wine is very popular in the United Kingdom as well as in Germany, where it is known as Gluhwein. Gluhwein is often served at Christmas markets in Germany and Austria. The German spelling is “Glühwein” with two little dots on the “u”.
Making mulled wine at home is a breeze. To make it even easier, you could also use prepackaged mulling spices. It’s the perfect drink to share with friends and family, whether you’re gathered around the fireplace, decorating the tree, or just have a cosy night in.
It’s also possible to make a non-alcoholic version of mulled wine by using fruit juice and similar mulling spices. Mulled apple juice is also super tasty!
So, grab your favorite red wine, a handful of spices, and enjoy this mulled wine. Cheers to the season!
Ingredients
- Red Wine – a fruity version like Merlot is best.
- Brown Rum – optional.
- Orange – orange slices and freshly squeezed orange juice.
- Cloves
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Star Aniseed
- Brown Sugar
How To Make This Recipe
1. Step: Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and stir well.
2. Step: Heat it up for a couple of minutes over very low heat. Make sure not boil the mulled wine because then the alcohol will evaporate and it won’t taste right.
3. Step: Strain through a sieve and serve hot in heat-resistant glasses or mugs.
Tips & Tricks
- I used orange juice and sliced oranges for this recipe, which is a perfect addition to the mulled wine spices. It smells and tastes so much like Christmas! I highly recommend using freshly squeezed orange juice and not store-bought orange juice. It makes a big difference!
- Make sure not boil the wine because then the alcohol will evaporate and it won’t taste right. So only heat it up over very low heat.
- You can either make your own mulling spices or buy a spice mixture, which you can use for mulled wine or hot apple cider. Homemade mulling spices always make a great gift!
Storing
Stored in an airtight bottle in the fridge, it will last up to 3 days.
Reheating
You can easily reheat mulled wine. Just reheat in a small pot over very low heat. Make sure it’s not boiling.
Alcohol-Free Version
Mulled wine is alcoholic. And always remember that since you drink the wine hot it goes to your head extra quickly.
However, you can easily make a non-alcoholic version of this mulled wine by using grape juice. Or you could also use apple juice instead. However, leave out the sliced oranges and the orange juice if you’re using apple juice.
Which Wine?
Fruity and sweet wines are the best for mulled wine. Merlot is a very good choice for mulled wine or Gluhwein.
Is wine vegan?
There is no yes or no answer to this question. The question whether mulled wine is vegan or not depends on the wine you’re using.
Many people don’t know that animal-derived products are used to make wine. Of course it mainly consist of grapes, but during the winemaking process substances known as “fining agents” are used to filter the wine.
Those substances can be made of milk protein, bone marrow, egg whites, gelatin, or fish bladder membranes. However, there are also other options to filter wine, so it’s possible to make vegan wine. Often it’s clearly labeled as vegan.
So it’s possible to make vegan mulled wine by using vegan wine, but it’s not always vegan.
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I hope you like this mulled wine recipe as much as we do around here.
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German Mulled Wine
Ingredients
- 1 bottle red wine (25.4 oz)
- 2 tablespoons brown rum
- 2 oranges, cut into slices
- 2 juice of two oranges
- 5 cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star aniseed
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and stir well.
- Heat it up for a couple of minutes over very low heat. Make sure not boil the mulled wine because then the alcohol will evaporate and it won’t taste right.
- Strain through a sieve and serve hot in heat-resistant glasses or mugs.
Notes
- I used orange juice and sliced oranges for my mulled wine, which is a perfect addition to the mulled wine spices. It smells and tastes so much like Christmas! I highly recommend using freshly squeezed orange juice and not store-bought orange juice. It makes a big difference!
- Make sure not boil the mulled wine because then the alcohol will evaporate and it won’t taste right. So only heat it up over very low heat.
- Fruity and sweet wines are the best for mulled wine. Merlot is a very good choice for mulled wine or Gluhwein.
- You could also easily make a non-alcoholic version of this mulled wine by using grape juice. Or you could also use apple juice instead. However, leave out the sliced oranges and the orange juice if you’re using apple juice.
Michelle
Made this last year for Christmas. It was a big hit. We loved all the flavors. Was the perfect warm drink for the holiday season. It is now one of our new family traditions.
dannie
lovely drink for great occasions.
Mel @ avirtualvegan.com
I love mulled wine but you have made me want to try Feuerzangenbowle now. it sounds fantastic!
Alisa Fleming
Every year I reminisce about Glühwein. You can’t find it (at least not easily) in the U.S., but I’d never thought to make my own! This looks marvelous.
Dreena Burton
K, you’ve convinced me to make mulled wine! I love red wine (though only in recent years), and so I know this would be divine. Addition of orange is beautiful idea.
The Vegan 8
I love me some red wine and I love the spices and flavors! I’ve have to skip the rum, lol, but I love all the other ingredients!
Cadry
How fun! I’ve had mulled wine a few times, but I’ve never made it myself. It sounds so warming & delicious!
Linda @ Veganosity
I love Glühwein! They sell at the Chicago Christkindlmarket and it comes in the cutest porcelain boot mug. This looks so good, Sina!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
You had me at wine! LOL Sounds delicious and the perfect holiday drink!
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen
I love mulled wine, and I love that the German name translates to “glow wine”! That’s so perfect!
Becky Striepe
Oh yum! I love mulled wine, and this one looks so festive with those oranges and stars if anise!
Amy
You are a great photographer! I pinned your recipe to my Christmas group board.