Easy mulled wine

Easy
December 2019

Easy
December 2019

Makes 10 x 160ml glasses
Simmering time 5 min

The smell of mulled wine wafting through your kitchen means that Christmas has arrived: cinnamon, cloves, orange juice and, in our recipe, a glug of brandy.

Want to know which wine is best for mulled wine? It needs to be a red you’d be happy to drink on its own. Best is a ripe and fruity style, not too heavy or acidic. A decent côtes du rhône, Australian shiraz-cabernet or Chilean merlot are all good picks.

Save recipe

Save recipe Print

Ingredients

2 x 750ml bottles medium-bodied red wine
6 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half, plus more to garnish (optional)
100ml smooth orange juice
1 large orange, sliced into thin half-moons, pips removed
2 lemons, sliced into thin half-moons, pips removed
Caster sugar to taste (about 4 tsp)
5 tbsp brandy

2 x 750ml bottles medium-bodied red wine
6 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half, plus more to garnish (optional)
100ml smooth orange juice
1 large orange, sliced into thin half-moons, pips removed
2 lemons, sliced into thin half-moons, pips removed
Caster sugar to taste (about 4 tsp)
5 tbsp brandy

Method

Pour the wine into a large pan and add the spices, orange juice, citrus slices and sugar. Heat over a low-medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and bring the mulled wine to just under simmering point. Don’t let it boil.
Taste as you go, adding more sugar and spice if you want. Add the brandy at the end, then stir and ladle into thick glass tumblers, including some cloves and citrus slices in each glass. Serve with a whole cinnamon stick in each glass to stir while sipping, if you like.

Method

Pour the wine into a large pan and add the spices, orange juice, citrus slices and sugar. Heat over a low-medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and bring the mulled wine to just under simmering point. Don’t let it boil.
Taste as you go, adding more sugar and spice if you want. Add the brandy at the end, then stir and ladle into thick glass tumblers, including some cloves and citrus slices in each glass. Serve with a whole cinnamon stick in each glass to stir while sipping, if you like.