I made a big batch of this mulled wine when I had some people over for dinner. Everyone loved it. Perfect for a winter’s night. I have made it subsequently just for myself when I feel like a warm drink that isn’t tea or coffee and it works out wonderfully every time!
I always wanted to make Mulled Wine and I’m so glad I did. This recipe was delicious! Not too sweet, but very flavorful. I didn’t have cinnamon sticks or star anise (I was at my parents house) so used ground cinnamon and aniseed. It was still amazing! I will definitely make again for a big crowd using the correct ingredients. Yum!
HI Marianne, I haven’t tried it myself but it would be 1/2 teaspoon. If you do not want seeds in your wine, then yes you would need to strain it. You could also try using a cheese cloth pouch. That way you just toss the pouch. Enjoy!
I’m so confused, because I see it on my end, Don. The recipe is in the recipe card, right above the area where you commented. You can also click the “jump to recipe” button at the top of the screen to help get you there faster. Could you please check again!
Erin, I’ve always wanted to thank you for this recipe. I’ve now made it several years running and if I DIDN’T make it I’d catch holy heck from our friends and family. :-). Still dialing in just the right wine and liquor (for me) but everything I’ve tried so far has been a huge hit anyway, and we enjoy it in our thermos cups while walking around our city’s holiday festival. Happy happy holidays to you and yours!!
I have never had mulled wine before, so I have no official frame of reference, but this is DELICIOUS!!! To save money I bought the milling spices in a packet from an online retailer we all know and love, and I just ordered more so I could make this again! It is so warm and fragrant and christmassy—I would not change a thing, and will be making this on repeat this holiday season!!! Thank you for the delicious recipe!!!
I recently participated in a Christkindl market where they served Grog which was very enjoyable! This weekend I’m hosting a holiday Open House and wanted something festive to serve and settled on your recipe. WHAT A WAY TO RING IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON! It’s delicious!!!! Perfectly spiced and just the right amount of everything! Thank you! Have a sweet holiday season!
Hi there I made this following the recipe except for the brandy, it’s overwhelming bc of the apple cider. Is this because I didn’t add the brandy? Do you have to simmer for a certain time period so the apple cider isn’t so strong?
Hi Amy, maybe it was the brand of apple cider that made it strong? Which brand was it? I am not sure why it would be overpowering with the red wine and other ingredients added. This can easily be made without the brandy so that shouldn’t change the time it simmers.
OMG the best yet! Having taken a trip to Europe this year, we were jonesing for the old world Christmas taste. This was such a perfect layering of cozy flavors, with a brightness of the fresh citrus, easy to adjust sweetness, and just hit the spot. We used a big bottle of Cab from Costco and doubled the recipe in a crockpot. Just heat, not even to a simmer before switching to warm. Made 4 smaller bottles (IKEA Korken) as gifts and they were a hit.
Top notch recipe – saw the requirements for orange zest in this and knew this would be foodie enough! We used a fruity Merlot wine box – no need for anything expensive. The honey was orange flower blossom, which we think really helped. Our supermarket was out of allll the Christmas spices, but they had “mulled spice” bags – we added 8! Substituted the apple cider for apple juice and it was splendidly yummy, without the fizz. Double the recipe for four guests worked a treat, with plenty of refills. Much appreciated, Erin!
I made this for Christmas dinner. I didn’t have apple cider so I cored and sliced an apple to add to it. I also added the zest and juice of a lemon along with the orange. It was delicious! I plan to make it again for a New Year’s party that I am going to.
Is the only reason to use cardamom pods instead of ground cardamom due to the texture/residue that is would be present? I always have ground cardamom on hand…but not pods. Ha.
Hello! I could only find cardamom seeds and not pods.. Can this be made with the seeds instead of pods? If so, how many seeds? I read there’s typically 15-20 seeds per pod. And ideas?
Hi Lisa, sure you can make it with seeds. I read that it is more like 5-12 seeds per pods (according to Spices, Inc). I wouldn’t put more than 20 seeds total unless you are thinking it needs more. If you decide to experiment with the seeds, I’d love to know how it goes!
Hi Lauren, that would be non-alcoholic apple cider. It’s a raw, unfiltered, unsweetened beverage made from the juice of pressed apples that contains no alcohol. Hope this helps!
Hi Sharon! If you do not want seeds in your wine, then yes, you would need to strain it. You could also try using a cheese cloth pouch. That way you just toss the pouch. Enjoy!
Hi Chris, no, they are actually two very different things for us. Apple cider is similar to apple juice, but is usually unfiltered and lightly spiced, might also just be known as Cider for you. Hope this helps!
I made a big batch of this mulled wine when I had some people over for dinner. Everyone loved it. Perfect for a winter’s night. I have made it subsequently just for myself when I feel like a warm drink that isn’t tea or coffee and it works out wonderfully every time!
Cheers, so glad to hear it Mandie!
I always wanted to make Mulled Wine and I’m so glad I did. This recipe was delicious! Not too sweet, but very flavorful. I didn’t have cinnamon sticks or star anise (I was at my parents house) so used ground cinnamon and aniseed. It was still amazing! I will definitely make again for a big crowd using the correct ingredients. Yum!
AWESOME! So happy to hear it, thanks for sharing!
How much anise seed should I use if I don’t have star of anise. Also do I need to strain it?
HI Marianne, I haven’t tried it myself but it would be 1/2 teaspoon. If you do not want seeds in your wine, then yes you would need to strain it. You could also try using a cheese cloth pouch. That way you just toss the pouch. Enjoy!
Just a question..how many cups does it make. I’m having 12 gals in.
Hi Kathy, this recipe makes 6 servings, I have not measured it out in cups. Enjoy!
Why not specify amounts of added ingredients? Want to serve 22 people.
I’m so confused, because I see it on my end, Don. The recipe is in the recipe card, right above the area where you commented. You can also click the “jump to recipe” button at the top of the screen to help get you there faster. Could you please check again!
Erin, I’ve always wanted to thank you for this recipe. I’ve now made it several years running and if I DIDN’T make it I’d catch holy heck from our friends and family. :-). Still dialing in just the right wine and liquor (for me) but everything I’ve tried so far has been a huge hit anyway, and we enjoy it in our thermos cups while walking around our city’s holiday festival. Happy happy holidays to you and yours!!
That makes me so happy to hear, thank you Maggie!
I have never had mulled wine before, so I have no official frame of reference, but this is DELICIOUS!!! To save money I bought the milling spices in a packet from an online retailer we all know and love, and I just ordered more so I could make this again! It is so warm and fragrant and christmassy—I would not change a thing, and will be making this on repeat this holiday season!!! Thank you for the delicious recipe!!!
Yay! Thanks Nell!
I recently participated in a Christkindl market where they served Grog which was very enjoyable! This weekend I’m hosting a holiday Open House and wanted something festive to serve and settled on your recipe. WHAT A WAY TO RING IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON! It’s delicious!!!! Perfectly spiced and just the right amount of everything! Thank you! Have a sweet holiday season!
Sounds like a wonderful time! Thank you Andrea!
This sounds awesome! Do you have a recommended substitute for honey? Or would it work without the honey?
Steven, you can leave out the honey; it might taste a little less balanced, but it’s personal preference. Or try maple syrup!
Hi there I made this following the recipe except for the brandy, it’s overwhelming bc of the apple cider. Is this because I didn’t add the brandy? Do you have to simmer for a certain time period so the apple cider isn’t so strong?
Hi Amy, maybe it was the brand of apple cider that made it strong? Which brand was it? I am not sure why it would be overpowering with the red wine and other ingredients added. This can easily be made without the brandy so that shouldn’t change the time it simmers.
OMG the best yet! Having taken a trip to Europe this year, we were jonesing for the old world Christmas taste. This was such a perfect layering of cozy flavors, with a brightness of the fresh citrus, easy to adjust sweetness, and just hit the spot. We used a big bottle of Cab from Costco and doubled the recipe in a crockpot. Just heat, not even to a simmer before switching to warm. Made 4 smaller bottles (IKEA Korken) as gifts and they were a hit.
This is the best feedback, thanks for sharing!
Top notch recipe – saw the requirements for orange zest in this and knew this would be foodie enough! We used a fruity Merlot wine box – no need for anything expensive. The honey was orange flower blossom, which we think really helped. Our supermarket was out of allll the Christmas spices, but they had “mulled spice” bags – we added 8! Substituted the apple cider for apple juice and it was splendidly yummy, without the fizz. Double the recipe for four guests worked a treat, with plenty of refills. Much appreciated, Erin!
YAY, so glad to hear it, thanks for the feedback Samantha!!
I made this for Christmas dinner. I didn’t have apple cider so I cored and sliced an apple to add to it. I also added the zest and juice of a lemon along with the orange. It was delicious! I plan to make it again for a New Year’s party that I am going to.
So happy to hear you enjoyed it, Carl! Thank you!
This recipe looks delicious. I live in Australia. Is the apple cider you use alcoholic apple cider?
Hi Kelly, it’s non-alcholic. Enjoy!
Is the only reason to use cardamom pods instead of ground cardamom due to the texture/residue that is would be present? I always have ground cardamom on hand…but not pods. Ha.
Hi Tammy, the pods help with flavor and presentation. Enjoy!
Hello! I could only find cardamom seeds and not pods.. Can this be made with the seeds instead of pods? If so, how many seeds? I read there’s typically 15-20 seeds per pod. And ideas?
Hi Lisa, sure you can make it with seeds. I read that it is more like 5-12 seeds per pods (according to Spices, Inc). I wouldn’t put more than 20 seeds total unless you are thinking it needs more. If you decide to experiment with the seeds, I’d love to know how it goes!
Made this today – but subbed apple juice for cider as I didn’t have any on hand. Not too sweet and lots of lovely spices.
Thanks for the feedback, Sonya!
Can I please ask- when you say apple cider do you mean alcoholic or non-alcoholic?
Hi Lauren, that would be non-alcoholic apple cider. It’s a raw, unfiltered, unsweetened beverage made from the juice of pressed apples that contains no alcohol. Hope this helps!
Should this be strained before serving?
Hi Sharon! If you do not want seeds in your wine, then yes, you would need to strain it. You could also try using a cheese cloth pouch. That way you just toss the pouch. Enjoy!
I am wondering if “apple cider” Is also known as “apple cider vinegar” as it is in NZ?
Hi Chris, no, they are actually two very different things for us. Apple cider is similar to apple juice, but is usually unfiltered and lightly spiced, might also just be known as Cider for you. Hope this helps!
Hi! We don’t have apple cider readily available where I’m from (and I’m toooo lazy to make my own). Would Apple juice be a good enough substitute?
Hi! It’s not idea, but it should work. Enjoy!