Orange Cinnamon Mulled Red Wine
A warm, spiced red wine infused with fresh orange peel and cinnamon sticks, perfect for cozy gatherings or winter evenings. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 35 minutes brings together bottle (750 ml) dry red wine, strips orange peel strips, sticks cinnamon sticks for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 6, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine
- 4 strips orange peel strips
- 3 sticks cinnamon sticks
- 5 cloves whole cloves
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 star star anise
- 3 slices fresh ginger slices
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine with 4 strips fresh orange peel, 3 cinnamon sticks, 5 whole cloves, 1 star anise, and 3 slices fresh ginger.
- Step 2: Heat mixture over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, ensuring it never reaches a boil to preserve alcohol and flavors.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp honey until fully dissolved, then keep warm on lowest heat for an additional 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Strain mulled wine through a fine mesh sieve into mugs and serve warm, garnished with an additional cinnamon stick or orange peel if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Orange Cinnamon Mulled Red Wine take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (5 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Orange Cinnamon Mulled Red Wine?
Refrigerate any leftover orange cinnamon mulled red wine in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Orange Cinnamon Mulled Red Wine?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Orange Cinnamon Mulled Red Wine for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Orange Cinnamon Mulled Red Wine?
General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
