Description

Looking for an amazing holiday cocktail recipe to impress your friends? Best-Ever Mulled Wine is warm, comforting, and bursting with vibrant flavors. It’s the perfect drink to enjoy this season! Please always drink responsibly.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 (750 ml) bottle of dry red wine (Grenache or Merlot work great)
1/4 cup high-quality brandy (or orange liqueur)
1 navel orange, sliced into rounds, seeds discarded (use only 1/2 an orange to make it less bitter if desired)
5 whole cloves (use 6–8 for an even stronger flavor)
2 cinnamon sticks (add a 3rd if you want a stronger flavor)
2 whole star anise
2 tablespoons white sugar or honey (more or less to taste)

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Instructions

Place all ingredients in a large pot and cook over medium heat on the stove for 30-40 minutes (do to boil).
Turn the heat to low and cook for up to 3 hours. You can drink it after the initial 30-40 minutes, but the longer it sits the stronger the spices will become. Mulled Wine should be warm and can lightly simmer for the first 15 minutes, but you should then turn the heat down to avoid evaporation or reduction.
Serve in mugs with handles and garnish with a few whole, fresh cranberries, a small slice of orange, and/or a cinnamon stick. Use any fancy garnishes you like to make this drink extra pretty!

Notes

Alcohol starts to evaporate at 172°F (78°C), so be careful not to heat it too high and not to let it reduce.

You can make this beverage non-alcoholic by substituting an equal amount of apple cider for the wine and eliminating the brandy.

Need a stunning garnish idea? Grab a toothpick and use it to skewer a few fresh cranberries, then lay it across your mug. Pair this with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick for an incredible presentation!