Mulled wine, Grandma’s classic recipe, one of the emblematic drinks of winter and Christmas, perfect for warming up on cold evenings and instantly creating a cozy, festive atmosphere. With its intense aroma of spices and citrus, mulled wine — also known as mulled wine in English or vin chaud in French, Glühwein in German — is essential during the Christmas season, at Christmas markets or enjoyed at home, perhaps in front of the fireplace, accompanied by delicious cookies such as cantucci or traditional sweets. In this recipe, which further enriches our blog, I explain how to prepare hot, spiced mulled wine, just like the traditional one I first tasted at the cold Christmas markets in Prague. To make perfect mulled wine you only need a few ingredients: red wine, sugar, orange and lemon peel, cinnamon, cloves and star anise, to obtain a hot, aromatic and irresistible drink. Let’s get started, but first I remind you that if you want to stay updated on all my recipes, you can follow my Facebook page (here) and my Instagram profile (here).
Check out these recipes with wine:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very economical
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 3
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Fall, Winter and Spring
Ingredients to make classic homemade mulled wine
- 2 1/8 cups red wine (full-bodied. I used Nero d'Avola, but you can substitute)
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 orange peel
- 1/2 lemon peel
- star anise (one whole)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves (whole)
Tools
- Pot
Preparation of classic grandma’s mulled wine
Gather the sugar, orange peel and lemon peel in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan, being careful not to remove the white pith, which would make the mulled wine bitter.
Add the cinnamon stick, cloves and star anise, pour in the wine and then place over medium-low heat. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and let it heat without ever boiling: the mulled wine should be hot but must not reach a boil, so as not to lose the alcohol and the aromas.
After about 10–15 minutes, turn off the heat, strain the drink and serve the mulled wine very hot, perhaps garnished with an orange slice or a cinnamon stick.
For an extra note of aroma and alcohol, and to enjoy a mulled wine like the ones at the Prague markets, add a shot of rum and a shot of Amaretto with the heat turned off. Consume immediately.
Storage, notes and tips
For a good mulled wine, use a full-bodied red wine, preferably not too tannic.
Never let the mulled wine boil.
You can adjust the sugar to your taste. If you want to stay updated on my recipes, follow me on:
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FAQ (Questions and Answers)
How long does mulled wine keep?
Yes, homemade mulled wine can be prepared in advance. Once ready, let it cool completely, strain it to remove spices and peels, and store it in the refrigerator for 1–2 days in a bottle or airtight container.
When it’s time to serve, heat it slowly over low heat without letting it boil, so as not to lose the alcohol and the aromas. This way the mulled wine will keep all its spicy fragrance and will be perfect to enjoy hot during Christmas, New Year’s Eve or cold winter evenings.
Is it possible to prepare it in advance?
Preparing it in advance is ideal when you have guests or want to organize better during the holidays.
Is it possible to prepare it in advance?
Is it possible to prepare it in advance?
Can I use other spices?
Yes, Christmas mulled wine can be prepared in advance. After cooking, let it cool, strain it and store it in the refrigerator for 1–2 days in a well-sealed container. Before serving, heat it slowly without boiling, so it retains its aroma and alcohol content.
