Mulled Wine
Ingredients
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- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 count orange – zested into wide strips; juiced
- 1 count lemon – zested into wide strips
- 8 count whole cloves
- 2 count cinnamon sticks
- 2 count star anise
- 25 ounces red wine
- 2 ounces brandy
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg – freshly grated
- orange – thinly sliced (for serving)
Instructions
1. Use a vegetable peeler to remove wide strips of zest from the orange and lemon, avoiding the white pith; cut the orange in half and squeeze out the juice. Put the granulated sugar, the juice from that orange, both citrus zests, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and 0.5 cup of the red wine into a medium saucepan.
2. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until dissolved, then reduce the heat and simmer until syrupy and very fragrant, 8–10 minutes.
3. Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the remaining wine, add the brandy and the nutmeg, and warm gently until steaming but not boiling, about 10 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat. For a smoother drink, strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof jug; or ladle directly from the pan, leaving the whole spices behind.
5. Serve in heatproof mugs. Garnish each mug with orange slices (for serving), if desired.
Mulled wine is a warm spiced wine enjoyed across Europe during the cold months, especially around winter markets and holidays. Its roots reach back to the Roman practice of heating and spicing wine, a tradition that diffused through medieval kitchens and evolved into regional specialties. Today it appears as German Glühwein, French vin chaud, British mulled wine, and Scandinavian glögg, all sharing a core of red wine gently infused with citrus and whole spices.
While variations exist, the defining character is a balance of warming spice, bright citrus oils, gentle sweetness, and soft tannins from the wine. The drink is never boiled—only warmed—so the aromas stay vivid and the alcohol is not driven off. Served steaming in mugs, it is both a convivial crowd drink and a practical way to make modest wines feel luxurious in winter.