Mulled Wine
AI-generated image
Vegan Gluten-free German

Mulled Wine

A warmly spiced German-style mulled wine with orange, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. It is gently simmered—not boiled—to preserve the wine’s fragrance and create a festive drink for cold evenings.

30 min 6 servings Medium
All recipes

How to prepare

1
Place the sugar and 120 ml of the red wine in a large saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture looks clear.
2
Add the orange slices and reserved peel, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and ginger. Stir for 30 seconds so the spices become glossy and fragrant.
3
Pour in the remaining red wine. Heat over low to medium-low heat until the surface is steaming and small ripples form, but do not let the wine boil.
Mulled wine gently steaming with citrus and whole spices in a saucepan AI-generated image
4
Maintain the wine just below a simmer for 15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the aroma is rich and the citrus has softened. Keep the temperature around 70 to 80°C if using a thermometer.
5
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the brandy. Rest for 5 minutes to let the flavors settle, then strain into a heatproof jug, discarding the fruit and spices.
6
Pour into heatproof mugs and serve immediately while steaming hot, garnishing with a fresh orange slice or cinnamon stick if desired.
Steaming mulled wine served in mugs with orange and cinnamon garnish AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Gentle heat extracts the aromatic oils from the citrus and spices without boiling away the wine’s character, while a small amount of brandy adds depth and a rounded finish.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Cool the strained mulled wine promptly, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Store it without garnishes.

How to reheat it

Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat until steaming but not bubbling, or warm individual servings in a microwave-safe mug in short intervals.

Nutrition / serving

167kcal
0.47 gprotein
13.53 gcarbs
0.13 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 13 Aug 2026 · updated 13 Aug 2026