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Cozy Spiced Mulled Wine with Orange and Cinnamon

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A warm, aromatic holiday drink made by gently heating red wine with orange, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. This recipe avoids boiling to preserve the delicate flavors and alcohol content.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Pinot Noir)
  • 2 large oranges (1 zested and juiced, 1 sliced for garnish)
  • 3–4 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 8–10 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise pods
  • 2–3 tablespoons orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or Triple Sec)
  • 1–2 tablespoons honey or sugar (optional, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Wash the oranges thoroughly. Zest one orange using a microplane or vegetable peeler, avoiding the bitter white pith. Juice that orange.
  2. Cut both oranges into wedges or thin slices and set aside.
  3. Pour the red wine into a large saucepan or slow cooker. Add the orange juice, orange wedges, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and honey or sugar if using.
  4. Place the pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to dissolve the sweetener.
  5. Heat the wine gently until it reaches 140-160°F (60-70°C). It should be steaming hot but absolutely not boiling. If bubbles break the surface, reduce heat immediately.
  6. Once hot, reduce heat to low and let the spices steep for 10-15 minutes. Taste and adjust steeping time if needed.
  7. Stir in the orange liqueur.
  8. Remove the pot from heat. Ladle the wine into mugs, straining out the spices and fruit.
  9. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not boil the wine, as this will evaporate the alcohol and make the wine taste bitter. Keep the heat low to preserve delicate fruit notes. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute wine with grape juice and omit the liqueur. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days; reheat gently without boiling.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled wine, holiday drink, winter recipe, spiced wine, orange cinnamon wine, easy cocktail, non-alcoholic mulled wine

Find it online: https://grubella.com/cozy-spiced-mulled-wine-with-orange-and-cinnamon-easy-holiday-drink/