What does mulled wine taste like?
Mulled wine tastes like warm, jammy red wine stirred with cinnamon, clove and orange peel, sweetened just enough to feel like a hug in a mug.
Mulled wine
hot spiced wine, cozy
Mulled wine is red wine gently heated with sugar or honey, orange slices and warm spices like cinnamon, clove and star anise. Heating it softens the wine's grip, so it tastes rounder and fruitier than the bottle it came from, a bit like a spiced cranberry sauce you can drink. Some versions get a splash of brandy or port to bring the booze back up. It's sweet but not syrupy when it's done well, and the orange keeps it from feeling heavy. It's the smell of every holiday market in a cup.
Where you’ll see it
A winter and holiday special, served hot in a mug or heatproof glass with an orange wheel or cinnamon stick. You might see it called glühwein (German) or vin chaud (French) on the menu.
Order it if it's cold out and you want something warm, fruity and festive.
Quick questions
- Does the alcohol cook off in mulled wine?
- A little, but not much. It's warmed, not boiled, so most of the alcohol stays. It ends up a bit lighter than a glass of wine, and stronger if brandy is added.
- Is mulled wine the same as glühwein?
- Yes, glühwein is the German name for it. Recipes vary by country and by bar, but they all mean hot red wine with sugar and spice.