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When autumn nights turn crisp and the holidays approach, nothing warms you quite like a steaming mug of homemade mulled wine. This apple cider mulled wine recipe combines the rich depth of red wine with the seasonal sweetness of apple cider and the natural goodness of raw honey, creating the perfect drink for holiday entertaining or quiet evenings by the fire.
What is Mulled Wine?
Mulled wine—also called spiced wine, glühwein, or vin chaud—is a beloved winter beverage with roots stretching back to ancient Rome. Roman soldiers would heat wine with honey and warming spices to ward off the winter cold, and as they traveled across Europe, this comforting tradition spread and evolved into the mulled wine we know today.
This easy mulled wine recipe brings together fruity red wine, aromatic spices, fresh citrus, and a touch of brandy for depth. What makes our version special? We use organic apple cider instead of plain sugar, adding layers of seasonal flavor that perfectly complement our Eastern Shore Honey.
Why You'll Love This Apple Cider Mulled Wine Recipe
Simple to Make: Ready in just 30 minutes with basic ingredients you likely have on hand.
Perfect for Entertaining: Easily scales up for holiday parties and keeps warm in a slow cooker.
Naturally Sweetened: Our raw honey adds complex flavor and natural sweetness without refined sugar.
Customizable: Adjust spices and sweetness to match your taste preferences.
Fills Your Home with Aroma: The scent of warm spices and citrus creates instant holiday ambiance.
Apple Cider Mulled Wine Ingredients
The Wine: Choose a dry, full-bodied red wine like Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, or Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines stand up well to heat and spices without becoming too sweet. No need for an expensive bottle—a quality mid-range wine works beautifully.
Apple Cider: Organic apple cider brings natural sweetness and seasonal flavor. If you can't find apple cider, fresh-pressed apple juice works as a substitute.
Honey: Our Cranberry Honey adds a beautiful tart-sweet balance that complements the fruit and spices. You can also try Orange Blossom Honey for citrus notes.
Citrus: Fresh oranges and lemons provide brightness and cut through the richness. You'll need the zest and juice along with fresh slices for garnish.
Spices: Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves (6 total), and star anise (2 pieces) create that classic mulled wine warmth.
Cranberries: Fresh cranberries add a festive touch and subtle tartness.
Brandy: Optional but traditional—adds depth and a warming finish.
How to Make Mulled Wine: Step-by-Step
Step One: Combine Ingredients
Add the apple cider, wine, honey, cinnamon sticks, orange and lemon zest and juice, cranberries, cloves, and star anise to a large saucepan. Stir to mix everything together and help the honey dissolve.
Pro Tip: For stronger mulled wine, add 1/4 cup of brandy, vodka, or rum along with the other ingredients.
Step Two: Bring to a Boil and Simmer
Bring all ingredients to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes.
Important: After the initial boil, keep the heat low—prolonged boiling will evaporate the alcohol and can make the spices taste bitter.
Step Three: Add Fresh Citrus and Serve
Remove the lid and add the orange and lemon slices to the pot. Ladle the hot mulled wine into heat-resistant glass mugs and garnish each serving with an orange peel, cinnamon stick, and rosemary sprig. Keep the pot with extra mulled wine over very low heat on the stove for up to 1 hour.
Crockpot Mulled Wine for Easy Entertaining
Making mulled wine in a slow cooker is perfect for parties. Add all ingredients to your crockpot and cook on low for 2-3 hours. The slow, gentle heat allows the spices to infuse deeply without any risk of boiling. Keep it on the "warm" setting throughout your gathering for hot mulled wine all evening long.
Serving Suggestions for Mulled Wine
This apple cider mulled wine pairs beautifully with:
- Cranberry Relish at your Thanksgiving table
- Stuffed Sweet Potatoes as a hearty side
- Caramelized Pears for dessert
- Holiday cheese boards featuring aged cheddar or brie
- Gingerbread cookies or spiced nuts
Serve mulled wine in heat-proof glass mugs to showcase the beautiful ruby color, or use ceramic mugs to keep it warm longer.
Tips for the Best Homemade Mulled Wine
Don't Boil: Keep the heat low—boiling evaporates alcohol and makes spices bitter.
Use Whole Spices: Ground spices will make the wine cloudy and gritty. Stick with whole cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.
Choose Quality Wine: While you don't need expensive wine, avoid the cheapest bottles. Pick a wine you'd enjoy drinking on its own.
Taste and Adjust: After simmering, taste and add more honey if you prefer sweeter mulled wine.
Fresh Citrus is Key: Don't skip the fresh orange and lemon—they brighten all the other flavors.
Customizing Your Mulled Wine Recipe
Try Different Honey Varieties: Each honey varietal brings unique flavor notes. Browse our honey collection to find your favorite.
Add Fresh Ginger: Slice fresh ginger root for a spicy, warming kick.
Include Cinnamon Schnapps: Replace part of the brandy with cinnamon schnapps for extra spice.
Make It Sweeter: Add maple syrup or brown sugar along with the honey.
Serve It Chilled: Make the recipe ahead, let it cool completely, and serve over ice for a unique cold-weather sangria.
Mulled Wine for Holiday Entertaining
This apple cider mulled wine recipe is a holiday essential. Whether you're hosting a Thanksgiving gathering, Christmas party, or cozy winter dinner, mulled wine creates an atmosphere of warmth and celebration. The aroma alone—cinnamon, cloves, orange, and wine—instantly transforms your home into a holiday haven.
Make a big batch in your slow cooker, set out beautiful mugs, and let guests serve themselves throughout the evening. It's the kind of drink that encourages people to linger, chat, and make memories.
Ready to make this recipe? Grab a bottle of your favorite red wine, pick up some of our raw Eastern Shore Honey, and create a mulled wine that will become your new holiday tradition.
Mulled Wine FAQs
What is the best wine for mulled wine?
The best wine for mulled wine is a dry red wine with good body and fruit-forward flavors. Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon all work excellently. These wines have enough structure to stand up to heat and spices without becoming overly sweet or losing their character.
How long should I simmer mulled wine?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. This allows the spices and flavors to meld together beautifully. You can keep it warm on very low heat for up to 1 hour for serving, but be careful not to let it continue boiling as this will evaporate the alcohol and make the spices taste bitter.
Can I make mulled wine ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare your apple cider mulled wine up to 24 hours in advance. After cooking, let it cool completely, strain out the spices and fruit, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop when ready to serve, being careful not to boil.
Can I make non-alcoholic mulled wine?
Absolutely. Replace the red wine with grape juice or additional apple cider, and omit the brandy. The warm spices and citrus still create a delicious, cozy beverage perfect for all ages.
More Holiday Beverage Ideas
If you love warm, spiced drinks, you'll also enjoy:
- Bourbon Cocktails with Honey for whiskey lovers
- Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Drink for a healthy morning boost
- Hot tea with our artisanal tea collection sweetened with honey
