Print

Cozy Mulled Wine with Orange and Cinnamon – Easy 15-Minute Recipe

mulled wine with orange and cinnamon - featured image
Print Recipe

A warm, spiced mulled wine made with red wine, orange, cinnamon, and star anise. Ready in just 15 minutes, this comforting drink is perfect for cold evenings and holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) red wine (Merlot, Zinfandel, or Côtes du Rhône)
  • 1 large orange (juiced and zested)
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks (Ceylon preferred, broken in half)
  • 2–3 whole star anise pods
  • 4–5 whole cloves
  • 2–3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 2–3 tablespoons brandy or Grand Marnier (optional)
  • 2–3 thin slices fresh ginger (peeled)
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

  1. Wash the orange thoroughly. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest in wide strips, avoiding the white pith. Juice the orange into a small bowl (about 1/4 cup juice). Set both aside.
  2. Place the cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves in a dry saucepan over medium heat. Toast for 30-60 seconds, shaking the pan occasionally, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
  3. Add the water, orange juice, and honey to the saucepan with the toasted spices. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to dissolve the honey. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Pour in the entire bottle of red wine and add the orange peel strips and fresh ginger slices. Stir gently to combine. Do not let it boil. Keep the heat at a low simmer, with tiny bubbles breaking the surface.
  5. Let the wine simmer for 10-12 minutes. Taste at 8 minutes and decide if you want it stronger. If adding brandy or Grand Marnier, stir it in during the last 2 minutes.
  6. After 10 minutes, taste the mulled wine. Add more honey if you prefer it sweeter, or a splash more orange juice if it tastes too spicy.
  7. If you prefer a clear drink without floating spices, pour the mulled wine through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof pitcher or directly into mugs. Otherwise, leave the cinnamon sticks and orange peel in for a rustic look.
  8. Ladle the warm mulled wine into mugs. Garnish each mug with a fresh cinnamon stick or a thin orange slice if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Don’t boil the wine—boiling evaporates the alcohol and makes the wine taste flat. Toasting the spices first enhances their flavor. Use whole spices instead of ground for a cleaner taste. Let the mulled wine rest off the heat for 5-10 minutes before serving for better flavor melding. Adjust sweetness gradually. For a non-alcoholic version, replace wine with red grape juice or pomegranate juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled wine, hot wine, spiced wine, winter drink, holiday drink, cinnamon, orange, star anise, easy recipe, 15-minute recipe

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/cozy-mulled-wine-with-orange-and-cinnamon-easy-15-minute-recipe/