Red wine is infused with warming spices such as star anise, lemongrass, cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, and bay leaves, orange and lime for a deliciously cosy Christmas drink.
*Post updated November 2025
What exactly is mulled wine?
Mulled wine is a traditional Christmas drink enjoyed around the world.
It began in the 2nd century when the Romans would warm wine during the winter to stay warm.Who knew?! 😎
Also known as spiced wine. It's a beverage usually made with red wine, various mulling spices, and sometimes fruit, as in my recipe.
It is alcoholic, although there are non-alcoholic versions of mulled wine.
It is a traditional drink during cold winter months, especially around Christmastime. You'll find mulled wine sold in any good pub or on food market stalls.
Especially at the famous Borough Market in London in wintertime, and if you ever visit the very famous Harrods Food Hall, you'll find it sold hot there too.
Oh, and of course, at various German Christmas markets held here in the UK.
Not only that, but it is possible to make mulled white wine using a dry white wine and follow the same recipe.
Consider adding a bit more star anise, an extra cinnamon stick, and a splash of brandy. Hic!
And by the way, mulled cider is also a thing! 😜
Once made, you can use the 'keep warm' setting on your slow cooker to keep it nice and hot. 😉
Mulled wine spices and fruits
- caster (fine)sugar
- whole cloves
- cinnamon stick
- bay leaves
- vanilla pod
- Merlot or other good red wine
- orange
- lime
- star anise
- lemongrass
How to make it
Firstly, it's worth buying a half-decent bottle of wine for this; otherwise, your mulled wine won't be anywhere near as nice.
Put the sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat, and just enough wine to cover the sugar.
Add the cloves, cinnamon stick and bay leaves. With a sharp knife, slit the vanilla pod lengthways, taking care not to go all the way through, and add it to the pan.
Let it simmer until the sugar completely dissolves into the red wine, then bring it to a boil.
Keep on a rolling boil for about 4 to 5 minutes until you’ve got a beautiful, thick syrup.
Doing this will create a fantastic flavour base, as the sugar and spices infuse and blend well with the wine.
When your syrup is ready, turn the heat down to low and add your orange, lime, star anise, lemongrass and the rest of the wine.
Gently heat the wine for about 5 minutes until it’s warm and delicious. Then ladle it into heat proof glasses and serve.
Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating in the recipe card below!
Mulled Wine Recipe - How to Make Mulled Wine
A delicious and warming Christmas drink, and especially for snuggling down in cold weather.
Ingredients
- 175g caster (fine) sugar
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 fresh bay leaves
- 1 vanilla pod
- 1 75cl (750ml) bottle of Merlot or other good red wine
- 1 orange - sliced
- 1 lime - quartered
- 3 x star anise
- 1 lemongrass - the first layer of outer leaves removed and bashed using the back of a knife
Instructions
- Put the sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat, and just enough wine to cover the sugar.
- Add the cloves, cinnamon stick and bay leaves. With a sharp knife, slit the vanilla pod lengthways, taking care not to go all the way through, and add it to the pan.
- Let it simmer until the sugar completely dissolves into the red wine, then bring it to a boil.
- Keep on a rolling boil for about 4 to 5 minutes until you’ve got a beautiful, thick syrup.
- Doing this will create a fantastic flavour base, as the sugar and spices infuse and blend well with the wine.
- When your syrup is ready, turn the heat down to low and add your orange, lime, star anise, lemongrass and the rest of the wine.
- Gently heat the wine for about 5 minutes or until it’s warm and delicious. Then ladle it into heatproof glasses and serve.
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Jan