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Quick Spiced Mulled Wine for Friendsgiving

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This quick spiced mulled wine for Friendsgiving is your secret weapon for a stress-free gathering. It comes together in under 20 minutes, uses pantry staples, and fills your home with that intoxicating aroma of cinnamon and orange before anyone even walks through the door.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) red wine (medium-bodied like Merlot, Zinfandel, or fruity Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 1/4 cup (85g) honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
  • 1 large orange (zest and juice)
  • 3 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 2 whole star anise
  • 6–8 whole cloves
  • 2 thin slices fresh ginger
  • 4 whole allspice berries (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the orange: Wash the orange thoroughly. Use a vegetable peeler to remove 4-5 wide strips of zest, avoiding the white pith. Juice the orange into a small bowl and set aside. Stud the zest strips with cloves by poking them through the peel.
  2. Bloom the spices: Pour about 1/2 cup of the wine into a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger slices, and allspice berries (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and let it bubble softly for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add the wine and honey: Pour in the rest of the wine and the honey. Stir with a wooden spoon until the honey is fully dissolved.
  4. Add the orange juice and zest: Pour in the reserved orange juice and drop in the clove-studded zest strips. Stir well.
  5. Heat through: Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer (not a rolling boil). Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes until the color deepens to a rich ruby.
  6. Taste and adjust: Ladle a small amount into a mug and taste. Add more honey for sweetness or let it simmer longer for more spice, if desired.
  7. Strain and serve: Place a fine-mesh strainer over a clean heatproof pitcher or directly over mugs. Ladle the mulled wine through the strainer to catch all spices and zest. Discard solids.
  8. Garnish and enjoy: Serve immediately in mugs. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick or a thin slice of orange.

Notes

Don’t boil the wine—keep it at a gentle simmer to avoid evaporating the alcohol and concentrating acidity. Blooming the spices in a small amount of wine first releases their essential oils for deeper flavor. For a crowd, strain and transfer to a slow cooker on ‘warm’ to keep it perfect for hours. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; reheat gently over low heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled wine, Friendsgiving, spiced wine, quick mulled wine, easy mulled wine, holiday drink, red wine cocktail

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/quick-spiced-mulled-wine-for-friendsgiving/