15 Delicious Mulled Wine Recipes to Warm You Up

When the temperature drops and the holiday season arrives, there’s something magical about wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of mulled wine. This centuries-old tradition transforms ordinary wine into a fragrant, warming elixir packed with spices and festive flavors.

Whether you’re hosting a cozy gathering, looking for après-ski comfort, or simply want to make your home smell amazing, these mulled wine recipes offer everything from classic combinations to creative twists that’ll become new favorites.

Classic Mulled Wine with Orange and Spices

This timeless recipe is where everyone should start their mulled wine journey. The combination of cinnamon sticks, cloves, and fresh orange slices creates that signature aroma that instantly makes any space feel cozy and festive. It’s incredibly forgiving and hard to mess up – just simmer everything together and you’re golden.

The orange adds bright citrus notes that balance the wine’s tannins perfectly, while the spices provide warmth without overwhelming the wine’s natural flavors. This version is perfect for beginners and seasoned mulled wine lovers alike.

Cranberry Apple Mulled Wine

Tart cranberries and sweet apple juice turn regular mulled wine into something fruity and vibrant. The cranberries add a gorgeous ruby color and pleasant tartness that keeps the drink from being too sweet. Apple juice brings natural sweetness and makes the wine more approachable for people who aren’t big wine drinkers.

This version is fantastic for Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings since it incorporates classic holiday fruits. It’s just as easy as traditional mulled wine but feels more festive and special with the added fruit flavors.

Maple Cinnamon Mulled Wine

Pure maple syrup replaces traditional sugar in this warming recipe that tastes like a cozy cabin in the woods. The maple adds rich, caramel-like sweetness that’s more complex than plain sugar, while extra cinnamon amplifies the cozy factor. This version is particularly popular with people who love autumn flavors extending into winter.

The maple makes it slightly thicker and more luxurious feeling on the palate. It’s dead simple to make and requires no special techniques – just swap maple syrup for sugar in your mulled wine base.

Pomegranate Mulled Wine

Jewel-toned pomegranate juice transforms mulled wine into something visually stunning and deliciously tart. The pomegranate adds antioxidants and a sophisticated flavor that’s both sweet and tangy. Fresh pomegranate seeds floating on top make each cup look like a celebration.

This version appeals to people who find traditional mulled wine a bit too sweet or one-dimensional. The preparation is straightforward, though squeezing fresh pomegranates takes some extra effort that’s totally worth it for the vibrant flavor and gorgeous color.

Honey Ginger Mulled Wine

Natural honey and fresh ginger create mulled wine with a gentle sweetness and subtle spicy kick. The honey dissolves beautifully and adds floral notes that sugar can’t match, while ginger provides warmth that builds gradually rather than hitting you immediately.

This combination is wonderful if you’re feeling under the weather since both ingredients are traditional cold remedies. The ginger can be adjusted to taste – use more for serious heat lovers or less for milder warmth. It’s as easy as grating fresh ginger into your mulled wine base.

Spiced Mulled Red Wine with Star Anise

Star anise adds an exotic, licorice-like flavor that makes this mulled wine taste sophisticated and complex. The distinctive star-shaped spice looks beautiful floating in the pot and provides a warm, sweet spice flavor that’s different from standard cinnamon and cloves.

This version is perfect for people who want something a little more adventurous than classic mulled wine. The star anise flavor is subtle but distinctive, creating depth without overwhelming the wine. Finding star anise is the only challenge, but it’s increasingly available in regular grocery stores.

White Mulled Wine with Pears

This lighter alternative uses white wine and fresh pears for a more delicate, elegant take on mulled wine. The white wine base makes it less heavy and tannic than red versions, while pears add subtle sweetness and beautiful presentation. It’s perfect for people who prefer white wine or want something that won’t stain if spilled at parties.

The flavor is gentler and more refined, with vanilla and lighter spices complementing the white wine beautifully. It’s just as easy to make as red mulled wine but feels more sophisticated and unexpected.

Mulled Wine with Brandy and Cloves

A generous splash of brandy elevates traditional mulled wine into something more potent and warming. The brandy adds depth and complexity while making the drink considerably stronger – perfect for very cold nights or après-ski gatherings. Cloves provide that classic warming spice flavor that pairs beautifully with the brandy’s richness.

This version is definitely for adults who appreciate a stronger drink. It’s incredibly simple to make – just add brandy to your basic mulled wine recipe and adjust the sweetness to balance the alcohol.

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

This is the ultimate convenience version – toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic. The slow, gentle heat allows flavors to meld beautifully without any risk of boiling off the alcohol or burning the spices. It’s perfect for parties since you can make a huge batch and keep it warm for hours without any attention.

Guests can serve themselves throughout the evening, and your house will smell incredible the entire time. The hands-off approach makes this ideal for busy hosts who want impressive results with minimal effort.

Chai-Spiced Mulled Wine

This fusion combines mulled wine tradition with chai tea spices for something truly unique. Black tea, cardamom, and ginger join traditional mulled wine spices to create layers of warmth and complexity. The result tastes like your favorite chai latte met mulled wine at a cozy winter party.

It’s particularly appealing to tea lovers who want to explore mulled wine or wine lovers who appreciate chai flavors. The preparation is only slightly more complex due to the additional spices, but the distinctive flavor makes it worth trying.

Cherry Almond Mulled Wine

Sweet cherries and almond extract create mulled wine that tastes like liquid Christmas cookies. The cherry adds fruity sweetness and beautiful color, while almond extract provides that distinctive marzipan-like flavor that’s so nostalgic and holiday-appropriate. This combination is surprisingly sophisticated despite sounding sweet – the wine’s tannins balance the fruit and almond beautifully. It can use fresh, frozen, or dried cherries depending on what’s available, making it accessible year-round. The almond extract is key here, but use a light hand to avoid overwhelming the delicate balance.

Orange Cardamom Mulled Wine

Fragrant cardamom pods and extra orange zest create mulled wine with Middle Eastern-inspired flavors. The cardamom provides a unique, slightly floral spice note that’s warm but not hot, creating complexity that keeps you coming back for another sip. Extra orange zest amplifies the citrus brightness that makes mulled wine so appealing.

This version is perfect for adventurous palates who want something different from standard mulled wine. Cardamom pods are increasingly available in regular stores, and just a few pods provide plenty of flavor without overpowering the wine.

Fig and Vanilla Mulled Wine

Dried figs and vanilla bean create luxurious mulled wine that tastes almost dessert-like. The figs add natural sweetness and a jammy quality that makes the wine feel richer and more indulgent. Real vanilla bean provides those lovely floral, sweet notes that complement the wine beautifully.

This version is particularly elegant and works wonderfully for special occasions or dinner parties. It’s slightly more expensive due to the vanilla bean and dried figs, but the sophisticated flavor is absolutely worth the investment for impressing guests.

Apple Cider Mulled Wine

Half wine, half apple cider creates a lighter, fruitier version that’s incredibly crowd-pleasing. The apple cider adds natural sweetness and makes the drink more accessible to people who find straight wine too tannic or strong. This version is particularly popular in America where apple cider is a fall and winter staple.

It’s wonderfully easy to make and generally requires less added sugar since the cider provides plenty of sweetness. The combination tastes like the best of autumn and winter celebrations coming together in one cozy mug.

Nordic Mulled Wine (Glögg)

This Scandinavian version takes mulled wine to the next level with raisins, almonds, and aquavit or vodka. The raisins plump up beautifully in the hot wine and become boozy little treats at the bottom of each cup. Almonds add crunch and nuttiness, while the addition of aquavit gives it that distinctive Nordic character.

Traditionally served during Christmas celebrations, glögg is stronger and more complex than standard mulled wine. It requires slightly more preparation due to the additional ingredients, but the result is a cultural experience that’s absolutely worth trying for something truly special.