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Quick Spiced Mulled Wine with Orange and Cinnamon: Easy 15-Minute Recipe

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This quick spiced mulled wine is ready in just 15 minutes, using simple ingredients like red wine, orange, and cinnamon. It’s the perfect last-minute holiday drink that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (Merlot, Zinfandel, or Côtes du Rhône)
  • 1 large orange (juiced and zested)
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 6–8 whole cloves
  • 2–3 star anise pods
  • 2–3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • Optional garnishes: extra orange slices, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks

Instructions

  1. Prep the orange: Wash the orange, remove the zest in wide strips with a vegetable peeler, then juice the orange (about ¼ cup). Set aside.
  2. Toast the spices: Place cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise in a dry saucepan over medium heat. Shake for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Build the base: Add orange juice, honey (or maple syrup), and ½ cup water to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until honey dissolves (about 1 minute).
  4. Add the wine: Pour in the entire bottle of red wine and add the orange zest strips. Stir gently. Heat on medium-low until steaming and small bubbles form around the edges (3-4 minutes). Do not boil.
  5. Steep and taste: Turn off heat, cover, and let steep for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  6. Strain and serve: Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into mugs to remove spices and zest.
  7. Garnish and enjoy: Add fresh orange slices, cranberries, or a cinnamon stick to each mug. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not boil the wine to avoid cooking off alcohol and making it taste flat. Toasting the spices before adding liquid enhances flavor. For a double batch, start with 1½ times the spices and adjust to taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled wine, spiced wine, quick mulled wine, holiday drink, 15-minute recipe, red wine, cinnamon, orange, cloves, star anise

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/quick-spiced-mulled-wine-with-orange-and-cinnamon-easy-15-minute-recipe/