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Guest-Favorite Mulled Wine with Orange and Cinnamon

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A warm, spiced mulled wine infused with orange and cinnamon, perfect for holiday gatherings and cozy nights. This crowd-pleasing recipe uses simple ingredients and a gentle simmering technique for a balanced, aromatic drink.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 bottles (750 ml each) dry red wine (e.g., Merlot, Zinfandel, or Spanish Garnacha)
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 2 oranges)
  • 1/4 cup brandy or cognac (optional)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 3 star anise pods
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
  • 1–2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)

Instructions

  1. Prep the oranges: Wash the orange thoroughly and slice into thin rounds (about 1/4-inch thick). Optionally, stud 4-5 slices with a whole clove each. Set aside.
  2. Combine the base: Pour both bottles of red wine into a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Add honey or maple syrup, fresh orange juice, and brandy (if using). Whisk gently to combine.
  3. Add the whole spices: Drop in cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, and whole black peppercorns. Add the orange slices, reserving a few for garnish.
  4. Heat gently, never boil: Place the pot over medium-low heat and bring to a gentle simmer (small bubbles barely breaking the surface). Do not let it boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
  5. Taste and adjust: After 15 minutes, taste the mulled wine. Adjust sweetness with brown sugar or more honey, or add a splash of orange juice if too sweet. If more spice is desired, let it simmer another 5-10 minutes.
  6. Strain: Remove the pot from heat. Pour the mulled wine through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof bowl or another pot to remove spices and orange slices. Discard solids.
  7. Serve immediately: Transfer the strained wine back to the pot or a slow cooker on warm. Ladle into mugs and garnish each with a fresh orange slice or a small cinnamon stick. Serve hot.

Notes

Do not let the wine boil, as it will become bitter. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute wine with red grape juice or pomegranate juice and add a splash of apple cider vinegar. Mulled wine can be made a day ahead and reheated gently; flavors deepen over time.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled wine, hot wine, spiced wine, Christmas drink, holiday drink, orange cinnamon wine, winter beverage

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/guest-favorite-mulled-wine-with-orange-and-cinnamon/