Cozy Up With Ina Garten’s Heartwarming Mulled Wine Recipe

When the winter chill settles in, a steaming mug of Ina Garten hot spiced mulled wine becomes the perfect companion for cozy evenings.

This classic winter beverage warms you from the inside out with its rich, aromatic blend of red wine and warming spices.

Ina recipe brings a sophisticated twist to the traditional mulled wine, infusing each sip with depth and comfort.

The carefully selected spices dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that instantly chase away the cold.

Fragrant cinnamon sticks, zesty orange peel, and star anise mingle with a robust red wine, promising a drink that’s both elegant and soul-warming.

Servers will love how easily this recipe comes together, turning a simple gathering into a memorable winter celebration.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to indulge in a drink that embodies the very essence of seasonal comfort.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 8

What’s in Ina Garten’s Hot Spiced Mulled Wine

• Orange: Adds zesty brightness and natural sweetness, choose a ripe, firm citrus with vibrant skin for maximum flavor extraction.
• Apple Cider: Brings warm, autumnal depth and natural sweetness, select fresh, unfiltered variety for rich complexity.

• Red Wine: Provides robust foundation for mulled beverage, opt for medium-bodied wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon with smooth character.

• Cinnamon Sticks: Delivers warm, comforting woody notes, select whole sticks for deeper infusion and elegant presentation.
• Cloves: Introduces intense, sharp warmth with subtle numbing sensation, choose whole cloves for pure, concentrated flavor.
• Star Anise: Contributes licorice-like undertones and beautiful visual element, pick intact, glossy pods for maximum aromatic impact.

• Honey: Rounds out flavors with gentle sweetness, select raw, local honey for richest taste and potential health benefits.

Equipment for Brewing Ina’s Cozy Mulled Wine

• Sharp Knife: Essential for carefully removing orange peel and minimizing white pith.
• Large Saucepan: Perfect for combining and simmering all ingredients together.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure cider, wine, and honey.
• Strainer: Needed to remove spices and peel before serving the mulled wine.
• Heatproof Glasses or Mugs: Ideal for serving the hot spiced wine safely.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring ingredients while simmering.

How to Make Spiced Mulled Wine

• Orange Preparation

Carefully peel a fresh orange into elegant strips, avoiding the bitter white layer underneath. Squeeze the juicy fruit directly into a spacious cooking pot.

• Flavor Harmony

Combine rich apple cider, robust red wine, golden honey, fragrant cinnamon sticks, aromatic cloves, and exotic star anise. Toss in four orange peel strips for extra zest.

• Gentle Brewing

Heat the liquid mixture until it reaches a rolling boil, then lower the temperature. Allow the wine to simmer gently, letting the spices mingle and release their warm, comforting essence for about 10 minutes.

• Elegant Serving

Carefully strain the mulled wine into beautiful heat-resistant glasses. Drape a reserved orange peel strip over each glass as a delicate garnish. Serve immediately while the beverage radiates warmth and inviting aromas.

Festive Twists for Ina Garten’s Mulled Wine

• Mulled Wine Magic
• Adjust honey levels to match your taste preference. Dial back for less sweetness or add more for a richer, sweeter profile.
• Experiment with additional warming spices like cardamom pods or fresh ginger for an extra flavor kick that tingles your palate.
• Choose a robust, full-bodied red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon to ensure deep, complex flavor notes in your mulled wine.
• Swap red wine with grape juice or cranberry juice for a family-friendly version that maintains the festive warmth and aromatic spices.
• Prepare the mulled wine in advance and gently reheat before serving. The flavors will deepen and become more intense as they meld together over time.

Serving Tips for Mulled Wine, the Ina Way

• Elevate Winter Gatherings: Create a cozy atmosphere by serving this mulled wine at holiday parties or winter get-togethers with friends and family.
• Pair with Comfort Foods: Complement the warm, spiced wine with hearty appetizers like cheese boards, roasted nuts, or charcuterie platters that enhance the rich flavors.
• Craft a Festive Presentation: Serve in clear glass mugs to showcase the beautiful amber color, and add a cinnamon stick or star anise as a decorative and aromatic garnish.
• Adapt for Different Occasions: Transform this recipe into a non-alcoholic version by replacing red wine with additional apple cider for kid-friendly or alcohol-free celebrations.

How to Keep Ina Garten’s Mulled Wine Warm or Store It

• Maximize Mulled Wine Enjoyment: Storage & Meal Planning
• Refrigerate Wisely: Cool leftover mulled wine completely before storing in an airtight container. Keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining its rich flavor profile.
• Reheat Gently: Warm the wine slowly on the stovetop over low heat to preserve its delicate spices and prevent alcohol burn-off. Stir occasionally and avoid boiling.
• Batch Prep Magic: Double the recipe for weekend gatherings or holiday parties. Mix ingredients ahead of time and store chilled, ready to quickly heat and serve when guests arrive.
• Pairing Perfection: Complement this spiced wine with hearty winter dishes like roasted meats, cheese platters, or chocolate desserts. The warm, aromatic beverage enhances robust flavors and creates a cozy dining experience.

Warming Ina Garten Hot Spiced Mulled Wine Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mulled wine from Ina Garten warms winter gatherings with rich spices and robust red wine. Guests will savor this comforting beverage that blends aromatic cloves, cinnamon, and orange zest for a delightful seasonal celebration.

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Ingredients

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• 1 bottle (750 milliliters / 25.4 fl oz) spicy red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 4 cups (960 milliliters / 32 fl oz) fresh apple cider
• ¼ cup (85 grams / 3 oz) liquid honey
• 1 large navel orange
• 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 8 whole dried cloves
• 4 whole dried star anise

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Zest an orange, preserving strips for garnish, and juice the fruit directly into a large saucepan, ensuring no bitter white membrane is included.
2. Spice Infusion: Combine red wine, apple cider, honey, cinnamon bark, clove buds, star anise, and 4 orange zest strips in the saucepan, creating a rich aromatic base that will develop complex flavor profiles during cooking.
3. Simmering Process: Bring the liquid mixture to a rapid boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, allowing the spices to gently release their essence for 10 minutes, transforming the beverage into a deeply fragrant and warming libation.
4. Serving Technique: Strain the mulled wine through a fine-mesh sieve into heat-resistant mugs, garnishing each serving with a carefully curled orange zest strip, presenting an elegant and inviting winter beverage ready to be savored immediately.

Notes

• Choose Ripe Oranges: Select fragrant, vibrant oranges with smooth, unblemished skin for maximum zest and juice quality.
• Zest with Precision: Use a sharp knife to carefully remove only the outer orange layer, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
• Spice Intensity Control: Simmer gently to extract deep flavors without boiling, which can make the wine taste bitter and diminish aromatic complexity.
• Serving Temperature Matters: Serve immediately after straining to maintain optimal warmth and preserve the delicate spice-infused flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Drinks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg