Updated 30 May 2026 by Linda Garrould. A Christmas Countdown family favourite.
To make mulled wine, gently warm a bottle of red wine with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, orange and a bay leaf until the sugar dissolves, then serve warm with a slice of orange. Whatever you do, don’t let it boil. This is the simple, no-fuss recipe I have made every year since the children were small, and it takes about ten minutes.
For me, mulled wine is the smell of Christmas arriving. Bonfire Night is usually my first glass of the year, and from then on a pan of it bubbling gently on the hob means the festive season has properly begun.
Mulled Wine Recipe
Serves: 6 | Prep: 5 mins | Cook: 10 mins
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750ml) medium to full-bodied red wine
- 4 tbsp granulated or caster sugar (to taste)
- Half a nutmeg, freshly grated
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 orange, studded with 6-8 cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp brandy (optional)
- Extra orange slices, to serve
Method
- Pour the wine into a large saucepan and add the sugar, grated nutmeg, cinnamon stick, clove-studded orange and bay leaf.
- Heat gently over a low to medium heat until the sugar has dissolved, stirring now and then. Do not let it boil, or you will drive off the alcohol and lose the fresh fruity flavour.
- Taste and add a little more sugar if you like it sweeter.
- Stir in the brandy, if using, just before serving.
- Ladle into heatproof glasses or mugs and add a fresh slice of orange to each. Serve warm.
The best wine for mulled wine
You do not need an expensive bottle. A medium to full-bodied, fruity red works best, such as a Merlot, Shiraz or a Cotes du Rhone. Save your good bottles for drinking and pick up an inexpensive supermarket red for the pan, the spices and orange do the work. Avoid anything heavily oaked, as it can turn bitter when warmed.
A non-alcoholic version for the whole family
Swap the wine for red grape juice or a mix of cranberry and apple juice and follow exactly the same method with the spices and orange. Warm it through gently and you have a spiced fruit punch the children can enjoy too. It is a lovely job for little ones to stud the orange with cloves.
Make it ahead and the slow cooker tip
Mulled wine is brilliant for entertaining because it can be made in advance and gently reheated. If you are hosting, tip everything into a slow cooker on low and leave the lid ajar, it will keep warm and the kitchen will smell wonderful for hours. Just remember to keep the temperature low so it never bubbles.
Make it easy. A slow cooker is ideal for keeping mulled wine warm at a party, and a ready-made mulling-spice sachet is a handy shortcut if you do not have the whole spice rack to hand.
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Mulled wine FAQs
Can you boil mulled wine?
No. Keep it below a simmer. Boiling drives off the alcohol and can make the wine taste harsh. Gentle warming is all you need.
How long does mulled wine keep?
It will keep warm in a slow cooker for several hours. Any leftovers can be cooled, stored in the fridge for up to three days and gently reheated.
What spices go in mulled wine?
The classics are cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Star anise and a couple of cardamom pods are popular additions if you like a deeper spice.
Can children have mulled wine?
Make the non-alcoholic version with grape, cranberry or apple juice so everyone can join in.
Looking for more festive cooking? See our full Christmas recipes, our traditional Christmas pudding recipe and our Christmas to-do lists to keep the whole season organised.