Mulled Red Wine with Citrus and Spices

Name: Mulled Red Wine with Citrus and Spices
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: About 4–5 small glasses
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: 1 bottle, 750 ml red wine; 2 oranges, sliced; 1 lemon, sliced; 4 tbsp sugar; 5 whole cloves; 3 pods cardamom; 2 sticks cinnamon; 1 small piece fresh ginger, sliced

Red wine gently warmed with orange, lemon, sugar, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger.

By Hez ArslanUpdated October 2, 2026

Total 25 minMakes About 4–5 small glasses

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This mulled wine uses a full bottle of red wine and enough citrus to make the spice mix bright. Cut two oranges and one lemon into thin slices, then gently toast the cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger for a brief moment to release their aroma. Pour in the wine and stir in sugar while the heat is low. Once the liquid is steaming, add the citrus and allow it to infuse without boiling; a hard boil can flatten the flavor and drive off some alcohol. Strain the hot wine if you prefer a clear cup. Label this festive drink as alcoholic and serve it only to adults.

Recipe card

Mulled Red Wine with Citrus and Spices

Prep 10 minCook 15 minTotal 25 minYield About 4–5 small glasses

Equipment: Saucepan, knife, strainer, heatproof cups

Ingredients

1 bottle, 750 ml red wine 2 oranges, sliced 1 lemon, sliced 4 tbsp sugar 5 whole cloves 3 pods cardamom 2 sticks cinnamon 1 small piece fresh ginger, sliced

Instructions

Slice citrus
Wash oranges and lemon and slice thinly, removing seeds.
Toast spices
Warm cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger in a dry pan for about 1 minute on low heat until aromatic.
Add wine
Pour in wine and stir in sugar until dissolved.
Infuse
Add citrus and heat gently until steaming, without allowing a boil, about 10–15 minutes.
Serve
Strain if desired and serve warm in heatproof glasses.

How to tell when it is ready

Wine is steaming and fragrant, but not boiling.

Tips

Use whole spices for easier straining.
Toast spices gently to avoid bitterness.
Keep heat low after adding wine.
Remove citrus seeds before steeping.

Serving suggestions

Pour into heatproof cups.
Garnish with a fresh orange slice.
Serve with gingerbread cookies.
Offer beside a festive dessert tray.

Make ahead

Prepare ingredients ahead and keep perishable items cold until cooking or serving.

Storage

Refrigerate leftover mulled wine promptly up to 2 days; reheat gently.

Food safety

Contains alcohol even after heating. Serve responsibly and keep away from children.

Frequently asked questions

Does heating remove all the alcohol?

No. Treat this as an alcoholic beverage.

How should I store mulled red wine with citrus and spices?

Refrigerate leftover mulled wine promptly up to 2 days; reheat gently.

About the author

Hez Arslan

Hez Arslan owns feastdelights.com and also writes practical recipes for everyday home cooking, from familiar Ukrainian dishes to meals inspired by kitchens around the world. His clear, step-by-step guidance helps home cooks approach each recipe with confidence.