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

cozy mulled wine with orange and cinnamon - featured image

A simple, cozy mulled wine with orange and cinnamon that comes together in just 15 minutes. This soul-soothing drink is perfect for cold nights, holiday parties, or whenever you need a little warmth and comfort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (750 ml) bottle red wine (medium-bodied, like Merlot, Zinfandel, or fruity Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 1 large orange (zested and juiced)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup brandy or Grand Marnier (optional)
  • Fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the orange: Wash the orange thoroughly. Using a vegetable peeler, remove 4-5 wide strips of zest, avoiding the white pith. Juice the orange and set aside about 1/4 cup of juice.
  2. Combine the base ingredients: Pour the entire bottle of red wine into a medium saucepan. Add the orange zest strips, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise (if using), and honey. Do not add the orange juice yet.
  3. Heat gently: Place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Heat the wine until hot but not boiling (look for small bubbles around the edges). Stir occasionally to help the honey dissolve. Simmer gently for 10 minutes.
  4. Add the orange juice and brandy: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh orange juice and brandy (if using). Taste and adjust sweetness with additional honey if needed.
  5. Strain and serve: Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large heatproof pitcher or directly over mugs. Pour the mulled wine through the strainer to catch the spices and orange peel. Discard the solids.
  6. Garnish and enjoy: Ladle the warm wine into mugs. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick, a slice of orange, a few fresh cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary if desired.

Notes

Do not boil the wine, as it will burn off the alcohol and make the spices taste bitter. For a crowd, keep warm in a slow cooker on the ‘warm’ setting after straining. For a non-alcoholic version, use non-alcoholic red wine or red grape juice with a splash of apple cider vinegar. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled wine, hot wine, spiced wine, winter drink, holiday drink, cozy drink, orange cinnamon wine, easy mulled wine