Classic Mulled Wine Recipe for Cozy Winter Nights

With just a handful of simple ingredients you can make this flavorful, spicy mulled wine. This raspberry mulled wine is ideal for a cool autumn afternoon or a cozy holiday gathering.

The Perfect Cold Weather Drink

This mulled wine is a warm, inviting beverage to share with friends and family. As it simmers, your home will fill with the scent of cinnamon, citrus and berries—one of the things that makes this recipe so comforting. The bright raspberry notes balance the warm spices, creating a drink that feels festive and approachable.

What Is Mulled Wine?

Mulled wine is a spiced, warmed wine traditionally enjoyed in cooler months. It typically combines red wine with whole spices, citrus, and either dried fruit or fresh berries. Served hot, it’s a popular choice for autumn and winter holidays because it’s both warming and aromatic.

About This Raspberry Mulled Wine

This recipe is show-stopping yet surprisingly easy. Choose a bottle of your favorite red — Pinot Noir is a great option because of its bright fruit character that complements raspberries — and add whole spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. Fresh raspberries and a touch of maple syrup round out the flavor with natural sweetness and berry depth.

Simmering the mixture gently extracts flavors from the spices and breaks down the raspberries, releasing their juices into the wine for a rich, layered drink. The result is fragrant, slightly sweet, and perfectly spiced.

Mulled Wine — What You Need

Gather your ingredients and a medium pot or slow cooker. You can easily adapt the spices to taste; whole spices are recommended for a clean, clear flavor that’s easy to strain out before serving.

• 1 bottle red wine (Pinot Noir recommended)
• 1 pint fresh raspberries
• Orange peel from 1 large orange
• 3 star anise (optional)
• 2 teaspoons whole allspice
• 2 teaspoons whole cloves
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (or to taste; honey or simple syrup also work)

Feel free to swap or add whole spices to suit your preference. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the maple syrup slightly. This drink is best served warm—avoid boiling vigorously to preserve the wine’s nuances.

How to Make Mulled Wine

The method is straightforward and can be completed in about 30 minutes. Follow these four simple steps for delicious results:

1. Combine the wine, raspberries, orange peel, star anise, allspice, cloves, cinnamon sticks, rosemary and maple syrup in a medium pot.
2. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to help the raspberries release their flavor.
3. Strain the mulled wine through a fine sieve to remove seeds and whole spices before serving.
4. Garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick, a star anise, a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary, and a twist of orange peel. Serve warm and enjoy.

Can You Make Mulled Wine in the Slow Cooker?

Yes. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and heat on low for about an hour, until warmed through. Once heated, switch the cooker to the warm setting so guests can serve themselves throughout an event. This method is hands-off and perfect for parties.

Can You Make a Large Batch?

Absolutely. You can double or triple the ingredients to serve more people—just make sure your pot or slow cooker is large enough to hold the expanded volume. Keep the same simmer time, and taste as you go to adjust sweetness or spice levels.

Mulled Wine Recipe

Servings: 4 | Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 25 minutes | Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 bottle Pinot Noir
• 1 pint raspberries
• Orange peel from 1 large orange
• 3 star anise
• 2 tsp whole allspice
• 2 tsp whole cloves
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (adjust to taste)

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a medium pot and bring to a gentle boil.
2. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Strain through a fine sieve to remove seeds and whole spices.
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, a star anise, fresh herbs and an orange peel. Serve warm.

Nutrition (per serving, approximate)

• Calories: 250 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Fat: 1 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 16 g

Nutrition information is an approximation and will vary depending on ingredient brands and serving size.