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Cozy Mulled Wine with Orange & Cinnamon – Easy 5-Minute Recipe

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This cozy mulled wine with orange and cinnamon is a quick and easy recipe that comes together in about 5 minutes of active prep. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings, cold winter nights, or a quiet evening with a book, and it’s a crowd-pleaser that tastes like you spent hours on it.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Zinfandel)
  • 1 large orange
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise pods (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • A tiny pinch of black pepper
  • Optional: 1/4 cup brandy or orange liqueur

Instructions

  1. Prep the orange: Wash the orange well. Using a vegetable peeler or microplane, remove the zest in long strips, avoiding the white pith. Juice the orange into a small bowl (about 1/4 cup juice). Set both aside.
  2. Combine the base: Pour the entire bottle of wine into a saucepan. Add the orange juice, honey (or maple syrup), cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, nutmeg, and a tiny pinch of black pepper. Drop in the orange zest strips.
  3. Start heating: Place the pot over medium-low heat. Warm gently, stirring occasionally, until steaming hot but not boiling (around 160-170°F or 70-75°C). Do not let it bubble.
  4. Simmer and steep: Reduce heat to low and let it simmer very gently for 10-15 minutes. Taste after 10 minutes and adjust spices if desired.
  5. Taste and adjust: Dip a spoon in and taste. Add more honey for sweetness or more orange juice for brightness if needed.
  6. Strain and serve: Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof pitcher or directly into mugs. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and a cinnamon stick if desired.

Notes

Don’t boil the wine—it evaporates the alcohol and makes it harsh. Let the spices steep for at least 10-15 minutes for best flavor. Watch the cloves; they are potent. This recipe doubles and triples beautifully. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute wine with 3 cups unsweetened cranberry juice and 1 cup apple cider.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled wine, hot wine, spiced wine, Christmas drink, winter beverage, orange cinnamon wine, easy mulled wine

Find it online: https://tinastirs.com/cozy-mulled-wine-with-orange-and-cinnamon-easy-5-minute-recipe/