Longing for a cozy, winter warm-up beverage? Check out this spiced wine recipe with mulling spices, great for picnics and tailgate parties all season long!

Looking for a tried-and-true spiced wine recipe?

The days are growing chilly, and the holidays are ahead, and that calls for warm, comfort foods. But what about drinks? Hot beverages such as apple cider, hot chocolate, and mulled white wine can be so soothing as they warm up your insides.

Heading out on a picnic can be so romantic, especially during warmer days in the fall and winter. It’s a good idea to take along a warm drink, such as simple mulled wine. Recipes are truly easy to make all sorts of mulled wine. Slow cookers can be used to make it, especially when you are using a mulled wine mix.

If you are searching for a mulled wine recipe for a crowd, this one will suffice. There are instructions at the end on how to make this mulled wine recipe easy for several people. Get ready for a tasty, warm drink no matter where you choose to enjoy it!

You can even make mulled white wine as an option. All photos by Demi Mabry Photography.

Spiced Wine Recipe with Mulling Spices

Of course, you can purchase a mulled wine mix, but oftentimes those are not as economical as buying your own mulled wine spices and making your own mulling spices to add to wine. There is a bit of a twist with this recipe, too, as it’s not just a homemade mulled wine mix and wine –  there is apple cider, too. Take a peek at the ingredients for this traditional mulled wine recipe below.

Mulled Wine Recipe with Merlot (for 2 people)

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 cup merlot (use white wine for mulled white wine)
• cinnamon stick
• 1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 3 mandarin orange sections (or 3 orange slices)
• 1/8 of an apple, sliced
• light brown sugar to taste (optional – 1/8 cup is best)

The above recipe can also be adapted to fit a particular thermos for picnicking. If you choose to do this, the proportion is 1 part cider to 1 part wine. Also, for the sugar, do it to taste. So, if you like it sweet, add more. You don’t really need to add anything to this German Christmas wine, or glühwein.

Making a German Mulled Wine Recipe

This mulled wine recipe was made in a thermos, so we will show you how to do the same!

• Heat the apple cider to a boil in a pot on the stovetop or in the microwave.
• Pour into the thermos.
• Add in your cinnamon stick, spices, fruit, and sugar.
• Pour the wine (room temperature or warmer) into the thermos to top it off.
• Seal the thermos tightly, and get ready to go! Enjoy whenever you’d like.

Putting your German Christmas wine in a thermos is perfect for picnics!

Easy Adaptations to our Spiced Wine Recipe

There are several changes you can make to the recipe above, and you can tweak it to your liking over time. Here are a few recommendations for making your own spiced wine recipe.

• You can use just about any wine, but I’d recommend one that isn’t too sweet to balance the flavors. You can make this mulled wine recipe with merlot, or you can choose to make mulled white wine. The authentic tastes of the season come through with the spices, so the type of wine is up to you!
• On holidays, it’s really easy to make mulled wine. Slow cookers can really come in handy on those days, especially if you need a mulled wine recipe for a crowd. Again, use the proportions of 1 part cider to 1 part wine and add in the other flavors in the proportions you’d like. The best place to make mulled wine? Crockpot, of course!

About German Christmas Wine

Did you catch the terms “German Christmas wine” and “German mulled wine recipe” above? The proper term is “Glühwein,” and both Germany and France use traditional mulled wine recipes to make hearty winter drinks. As a result, people all over Europe enjoy this simple mulled wine recipe, and now you can make it, too!

Mulling spices for a spiced wine recipe include apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

Making a traditional mulled drink? Save it!

Whether you make your own mulled wine spices or buy a mulled wine mix, the chilly weather is perfect for spiced wine!

Additionally, recipe ideas can be adapted to your liking, and you can make a mulled wine recipe with merlot or mulled white wine.

Slow cooker recipes are perfect for long holidays, but no matter how you make it, I hope that this spiced wine recipe with mulling spices is one that you enjoy creating!