How to Make Mulled Wine (Vin Chaud)

Prep time: 24 minutes

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 bottle dry red wine (Côtes du Rhône or Malbec)
• 2 oz cognac or brandy
• 2 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
• 3 tbsp honey or to taste
• 1 large navel orange, sliced into rounds
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 3 star anise
• 4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed

Instructions

1. Combine wine, cognac, and orange liqueur in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Add orange and lemon slices, honey, and all spices. Stir to dissolve honey.
3. Heat gently until steaming, do not boil. Boiling will drive off the alcohol and create harsh flavors.
4. Reduce heat to the lowest setting and let steep for 20 minutes.
5. Taste and adjust sweetness with more honey if desired.
6. Ladle through a fine mesh strainer into heatproof mugs. Garnish each with a fresh orange slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise.

Notes

Wine: Use a wine you’d drink on its own, nothing expensive, but nothing terrible. A $12–15 bottle is the sweet spot. 

Do not boil. The ideal temperature is 140–160°F (60–70°C). A kitchen thermometer helps. 

Make-ahead: Steep the spices in the wine overnight (unheated, in the fridge) for an even deeper flavor. Reheat gently before serving.