Print

Cozy Mulled Wine with Orange and Cinnamon: Easy Family Recipe

mulled wine with orange and cinnamon - featured image
Print Recipe

This cozy mulled wine is a simple, warm, and comforting drink made with red wine, orange, cinnamon, and honey. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings, family movie nights, or any chilly evening, and comes together in under 20 minutes with just 5 minutes of prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (e.g., Merlot or Zinfandel)
  • 1 large orange, thinly sliced
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup brandy or orange liqueur (optional)
  • 2 star anise pods (optional)
  • Fresh orange slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep the ingredients (5 minutes): Wash the orange thoroughly and slice it into thin rounds, about 1/4-inch thick. Measure out the honey and optional brandy. Set out the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise (if using).
  2. Combine everything in the pot (2 minutes): Pour the entire bottle of red wine into a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise (if using), and honey. Do not add the brandy yet.
  3. Warm gently over medium-low heat (10 minutes): Place the pot on the stove over medium-low heat. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to help the honey dissolve. Bring the wine to a gentle simmer—small bubbles should appear around the edges, but it should never boil.
  4. Simmer and infuse (10-15 minutes): Once the wine reaches a gentle simmer, reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld. Taste after 10 minutes and adjust if needed.
  5. Add the brandy (1 minute): If using brandy or orange liqueur, stir it in now. Let it warm through for just 1 minute.
  6. Taste and adjust (1 minute): Taste the mulled wine. Add more honey if needed for sweetness, or let it simmer a few more minutes for more spice flavor.
  7. Serve immediately (2 minutes): Ladle the warm mulled wine into mugs. Garnish each mug with a fresh orange slice and a cinnamon stick.

Notes

Never let the mulled wine boil, as it will burn off the alcohol and make the wine taste bitter. Whole spices are essential—ground spices will make the wine cloudy and bitter. The mulled wine can be made a day ahead and gently reheated. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the red wine with non-alcoholic red wine or 100% grape juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled wine, holiday drink, red wine, orange, cinnamon, easy recipe, family recipe, warm drink

Find it online: https://morselora.com/cozy-mulled-wine-with-orange-and-cinnamon-easy-family-recipe/