Spiced Mulled Wine

Set out your finest mugs or tea sets, because this sophisticated, festive cocktail is perfect for the season. Adapted from the restaurant Helen in Birmingham, Alabama, this red wine-based drink is enhanced with aged rum and sweetened with maple syrup. A delightful blend of spices such as cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, pink peppercorns, and cinnamon infuse the red wine as it gently heats on the stove. Garnish with orange slices or twists, cinnamon sticks, and star anise, which will elegantly float on the surface. Alternatively, use dried orange slices for a similar touch. 

Which Wine is Ideal for Mulled Wine?

To create this cozy winter beverage, start with a dry, medium-bodied red wine—avoid anything too sweet. Helen's team suggests Beaujolais, crafted from the gamay grape, or Chianti. Pinot noir, Grenache, or Malbec are also great choices. Avoid wines that are too bold, like zinfandel or cabernet sauvignon.

Ingredients

• 2 navel oranges, plus extra slices for garnish

• 2 (750-ml) bottles of red wine

• 1 cup aged rum

• 3/4 cup pure maple syrup, plus extra if preferred

• 3 whole cloves

• 3 cardamom pods

• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg

• 10 cinnamon sticks

• 9 star anise

Instructions

Simmer the wine with spices:

Grate the zest and juice the oranges to produce 2 teaspoons of zest and 2/3 cup of juice. Combine these with the wine, rum, maple syrup, cloves, cardamom pods, nutmeg, 4 cinnamon sticks, and 3 star anise in a large saucepan. Simmer on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 hours until the wine is richly spiced and sweetened. Avoid allowing the mixture to come to a boil or bubble.

Garnish and serve:

Strain out any solids. If desired, add more maple syrup to taste. Pour into mugs, then garnish with orange slices, along with the remaining cinnamon sticks and star anise.

Nutritional Information (per serving)