Spiced Cranberry Mulled Wine
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This is a popular Christmas beverage recipe, and again it can be made with or without alcohol, even though the primary ingredient is wine. It takes 10 minutes to prep and only 20 to heat until it’s ready to serve so if you’re busy during the holidays it won’t take you that long. Regular old mulled wine is a centuries-old drink that was popular in Europe during the cold winter months and holiday season. And like most recipes, gradually people learned to add cinnamon, spice and cranberries to them, which turned them into unique, “Christmas” recipes 🎄.
Spiced Cranberry Mulled Wine
Servings
6
Festive Glasses
Prep time
10
Minutes
Cooking time
20
Minutes
Type
Drinks
Wine
Ingredients
-
1 bottle (750 ml) red wine (Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon is best)
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2 cups cranberry juice
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1/4 cup honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
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4 whole cloves
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2 cinnamon sticks
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2 star anise
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1/2 cup fresh cranberries (optional, for garnish)
Directions
- Large Pot – In a large pot, combine the red wine, cranberry juice, and honey or sugar. Stir until well mixed.
- Orange Slices & more – Add orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise to the pot.
- Heat – Heat the mixture over medium-low heat until it’s steaming but not boiling. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes.
- Taste – Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Strain -Strain the mulled wine to remove the spices and orange slices.
- Pour & Serve – Pour into mugs or heatproof glasses. Garnish with fresh cranberries or a cinnamon stick if desired. Serve warm.
- Enjoy ✨
Notes
- Wine Type – Choose a bold red wine that goes well with the spices and cranberries. Avoid sweet wines to or else the drink will become overly sugary.
- Non-Alcoholic Version – Replace wine with grape juice for a non-alcoholic version.
- More Alcohol – Add a splash of brandy or orange liqueur for extra ‘heat’.
- Re-Heating – This recipe can be made in advance. Reheat mildly when ready to serve again.
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A Christmas Drink
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*** OTHER CRANBERRY BEVERAGE RECIPES ***
- Cranberry Moscow Mule
- Christmas Cranberry Cooler
- Easy Christmas Cranberry Punch
- Cranberry Lemonade with Soda
- Cranberry Holiday Punch
- Cranberry Apple Sangria
- Cranberry Juice with Iced Tea Recipe
- Pure Cranberry Juice with Sparkling Water Recipe
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*** IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS; MAKE IT BETTER ***
To make this drink look, feel and taste even better, try the following …
The Garnish Effect
Garnish with sugared cranberries, and/or a twist of orange or lemon peel to each glass to elevate the wine’s value. You can also float a cinnamon stick inside to just go over the top.
Premium Ingredients
When shopping for a wine, and if the budget allows, opt to try a high-quality, full-bodied red wine that goes down a lot smoother. It’s the basics that make the recipe.
Spirits
Add a little bit of Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or brandy to give the wine some weight. You can also try cranberry liqueur for a stronger cranberry punch.
More Stuff!
Serve the mulled wine alongside a cheese or charcuterie board, and bring them out at the same time, in order to overwhelm your guests and leave that lasting impression that you are the Martha Stewart of the neighborhood.
Cheers to Cranberries!
