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Cozy Friendsgiving Mulled Wine with Orange and Cinnamon

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This warm, spiced mulled wine is made with simple pantry ingredients like red wine, orange, honey, and whole spices. It’s incredibly easy to make, perfect for Friendsgiving, and delivers a cozy, crowd-pleasing drink that feels like a warm hug in a mug.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry, fruity red wine (such as Zinfandel, Merlot, or medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 1 large orange (navel orange works well)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
  • 2–3 cinnamon sticks (preferably Cassia for bolder spice)
  • 2–3 whole star anise pods
  • 4–5 whole cloves
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
  • Optional garnishes: extra orange slices, fresh cranberries, extra cinnamon sticks

Instructions

  1. Prep the aromatics: Wash the orange thoroughly. Using a vegetable peeler, peel off 3-4 wide strips of orange zest, avoiding the white pith. Juice the orange into a small bowl (about 1/4 cup / 60 ml juice). Set juice and peel strips aside.
  2. Bloom the spices: In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine 1/2 cup (120 ml) water, 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and whole cloves. Place over medium heat and stir until honey dissolves. Bring to a gentle simmer and let cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add the orange: Add the orange juice and zest strips to the pot. Stir and let simmer for another minute.
  4. Warm the wine: Pour the entire bottle of red wine into the pot. Reduce heat to low. Heat gently until steaming hot and small bubbles form around the edges (about 8-10 minutes). Do not let it boil.
  5. Steep and serve: Turn off the heat and let the mulled wine steep for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust sweetness or spice as desired. Ladle into heatproof mugs, using a slotted spoon to catch whole spices if preferred. Garnish with fresh orange slices, cranberries, and an extra cinnamon stick if desired.

Notes

Do not boil the wine to avoid burning off alcohol and making the drink taste flat. Blooming the spices in water and honey first extracts deeper flavor. For a make-ahead option, prepare the spiced honey-water base up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate; add wine and warm when ready to serve. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and reheated gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled wine, Friendsgiving, warm drink, red wine, orange, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, honey, cozy, holiday, easy

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/cozy-friendsgiving-mulled-wine-with-orange-and-cinnamon/