Perfect Ina Garten Mulled Wine Recipe for Cozy Nights In

Mulled wine transforms ordinary evenings into extraordinary sensory experiences, blending rich aromas and comforting warmth.

Cold nights demand this delectable seasonal beverage that instantly elevates home gatherings.

Traditional European roots give mulled wine its magical charm and deeply satisfying character.

Fragrant spices mingle with robust wine, creating an irresistible drink that awakens memories of cozy winter celebrations.

Crafting mulled wine involves carefully selecting ingredients that complement each other, balancing sweet and spicy notes with remarkable precision.

Generations have cherished this time-honored recipe as a symbol of hospitality and connection: ready to stir up some comfort?

Why Mulled Wine Feels Like the Holidays

• Warm Comfort in a Mug: This mulled wine wraps you in cozy comfort like a soft blanket on a chilly winter evening, delivering deep, rich flavors that instantly chase away the cold.
• Effortless Elegance: With just a few simple ingredients and minimal cooking time, you can create a sophisticated drink that looks and tastes like it was crafted by a professional mixologist, making you feel like a culinary expert.
• Sensory Symphony: The blend of spices, citrus, and wine creates a multi-layered experience that delights your senses – from the aromatic cinnamon and star anise to the bright orange zest and deep wine undertones, each sip tells a delicious story.
• Party-Perfect Crowd Pleaser: This recipe transforms an ordinary gathering into a festive celebration, offering a welcoming drink that's perfect for holiday parties, winter gatherings, or intimate nights with friends, ensuring everyone feels special and warmly embraced.

What You’ll Need for Mulled Wine Magic

• Red Wine: Robust and fruity wine that forms the alcoholic foundation of the drink, choose a full-bodied wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Apple Cider: Sweet and tangy base that adds depth and warmth to the drink, select fresh and unfiltered cider for best flavor.

• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the wine's acidity and adds a smooth richness, opt for raw or local honey.
• Cinnamon Sticks: Warm and aromatic spice that infuses a classic holiday flavor, use whole sticks for better infusion.
• Cloves: Intense and pungent spice that adds depth and complexity to the mulled wine, whole cloves release more flavor.
• Star Anise: Licorice-like spice that provides a distinctive and exotic note, use whole pods for maximum fragrance.

• Orange: Fresh juice and zest that brighten the drink with citrusy notes, choose ripe and juicy oranges for maximum flavor.

How to Warm Wine Without Overdoing It

Step 1: Gather Your Cozy Ingredients

• Apple cider
• Red wine
• Honey
• Cinnamon sticks
• Orange
• Whole cloves
• Star anise

Step 2: Combine and Awaken Flavors

Zest the orange and squeeze its juice into the saucepan. Add all ingredients: cider, wine, honey, cinnamon sticks, orange zest, cloves, and star anise. Stir gently to blend the festive components.

Step 3: Simmer With Patience

Heat the mixture over medium-high temperature until it reaches a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and let the drink simmer softly, allowing the spices to dance and release their magical aromas for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Carefully ladle the warm, fragrant mulled wine into mugs. Garnish each serving with a twist of fresh orange peel. The drink will radiate warmth and comfort, perfect for chilly evenings or holiday gatherings.

Tips for the Right Spice Mix

• Select Premium Wine: Pick a robust red like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot that can stand up to the spices without losing its character.
• Balance Spice Blend: Crush whole spices slightly before adding to release more intense aromatics and ensure deeper flavor infusion.
• Control Heat Carefully: Keep temperature low and steady, allowing spices to steep slowly without burning or turning bitter.
• Prepare Ahead: Mulled wine tastes even better when made in advance, letting flavors meld together for a more complex and rich profile.
• Serve with Flair: Ladle into warm mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks or fresh orange slices for a festive and inviting presentation.

Keeping Mulled Wine Cozy and Tasty

• Countertop Cooling: Let mulled wine cool completely before storing to prevent flavor degradation and potential glass container cracking. Pour into heat-resistant glass pitchers or ceramic containers away from direct sunlight.
• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer cooled mulled wine into sealed glass mason jars or airtight containers. Place toward the back of the refrigerator where temperature remains most consistent. Consume within 72 hours for optimal taste and aroma, as spices and wine components slowly break down over time.
• Freezing Method: Pour mulled wine into silicone ice cube trays or freezer-safe glass containers, leaving approximately one inch of headspace. Seal tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat on low stovetop heat, stirring occasionally to redistribute spices and maintain rich flavor profile.

Seasonal Variations to Try This Year

• Winter Spice Sangria: Transform the mulled wine into a chilled sangria by adding diced apples, pears, and a splash of brandy. Let the fruit soak in the wine mixture for several hours before serving over ice.
• Pomegranate Punch Remix: Incorporate fresh pomegranate juice and seeds for a tart, jewel-toned version. Swap honey with maple syrup to enhance the winter flavor profile and add depth to the drink.
• Citrus Warmth Blend: Introduce grapefruit zest and blood orange juice for a brighter, more complex citrus dimension. Include a hint of ginger root to create a warming, spicy undertone that complements the existing wine base.
• Bourbon Mulled Comfort: Spike the traditional recipe with a shot of bourbon whiskey for extra warmth and richness. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange peel to elevate the aromatic experience and create a cozy cocktail perfect for cold evenings.

Mulled Wine Recap and Cheers

Mulled wine emerges as winter’s liquid comfort, blending Ina Garten’s signature warmth with classic flavors.

Rich aromas of spices dance through fragrant kitchen spaces, promising cozy moments ahead.

Mediterranean traditions meet American culinary creativity in this simple yet sophisticated recipe.

Seasonal gatherings become magical with such inviting beverages that connect people through shared experiences.

Holiday celebrations find new meaning when spiced wine flows among friends and family.

Raise glasses, savor complex notes, and let conversation sparkle – you’ll discover pure deliciousness waiting in each simmering mug.

Spread this recipe, comment below, share with companions near and far!

Ina Garten Mulled Wine Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Warm winter nights welcome Ina Garten’s mulled wine, a rich blend of red wine, citrus, and aromatic spices. Simmering cinnamon sticks, star anise, and orange zest create a comforting embrace you’ll savor from first sip to last.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 (750-ml) bottle of red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 4 cups apple cider
• 4 oranges, peeled (for garnish)

Sweeteners and Flavors:

• ¼ cup honey
• 1 orange, zested and juiced

Spices:

• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 3 star anise

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Instructions

1. Combine apple cider, red wine, honey, whole cinnamon sticks, freshly grated orange zest, orange juice, whole cloves, and star anise in a generously sized saucepan, creating a fragrant base for the warm beverage.
2. Heat the aromatic mixture over medium-high temperature, bringing the liquid to a gentle rolling boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, allowing the spices to steep and infuse their rich flavors for approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Carefully strain the mulled wine through a fine-mesh sieve to remove whole spices, ensuring a smooth drinking experience.
4. Ladle the warm, spiced liquid into pre-heated ceramic mugs, garnishing each serving with a delicate twist of fresh orange peel to enhance the citrusy aroma and provide an elegant visual presentation.
5. Serve immediately while the mulled wine is piping hot, inviting guests to savor the comforting winter beverage that blends sweet, spicy, and citrus notes.

Notes

• Seek out robust, full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to create a rich, complex mulled wine base.
• Control temperature carefully, keeping the liquid just below a simmer to extract maximum flavor without burning delicate spices.
• Experiment with additional aromatics like star anise or cardamom pods to personalize your unique spice blend.
• Prepare ingredients ahead of time, allowing spices to steep longer for deeper, more intense flavor profiles.
• Store leftover mulled wine in a sealed container in the refrigerator, gently reheating when ready to serve for maximum taste preservation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Drinks, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 156.25 kcal
• Sugar: 12.5 g
• Sodium: 4.5 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36.25 g
• Fiber: 1.25 g
• Protein: 0.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg