This cranberry mulled wine is what we pull out when a party needs something cozy and fragrant on the bar. It starts with a fruit forward red wine, simmered gently with cranberry juice, orange, warming spices and a touch of sweetness. Fresh cranberries, rosemary and cinnamon sticks turn each mug into a little holiday vignette.
At winter events we bartend, we keep a large insulated dispenser of mulled wine behind the bar so it stays hot without boiling. Guests can smell it before they see it and it is usually the drink they come back for second and third refills. The cranberry adds a bright, tart edge that keeps the mulled wine from feeling too heavy.
How to Make Cranberry Mulled Wine
- Combine wine and cranberry juice. In a large saucepan or small slow cooker, add the red wine, cranberry juice and water if using.
- Add fruit and spices. Add the orange slices, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise and ginger. Stir gently to combine.
- Sweeten and warm gently. Stir in 1/4 cup honey, maple syrup or sugar. Warm over low heat until steaming, about 15 to 20 minutes. Do not let the mixture boil or the alcohol will cook off and the wine can taste harsh.
- Add brandy or orange liqueur. Remove from the heat and stir in the brandy or orange liqueur if using. Taste and adjust sweetness, adding more sweetener if you prefer.
- Serve and garnish. Ladle the mulled wine into heat safe mugs. Garnish each serving with a cinnamon stick, a few cranberries and an orange slice. Keep the remaining mulled wine warm over very low heat or in a slow cooker set to warm.
Bartender notes
- Choose a fruit forward red wine like Merlot, Zinfandel, Shiraz or Malbec. High tannin wines can taste bitter when heated.
- Keep the mulled wine at a gentle steam rather than a simmer. We treat it like a warm punch, not a boiling pot.
- Taste at the end, not the beginning. The flavors of the spices and cranberry develop as it warms so sweetness can be adjusted right before serving.
Cranberry Mulled Wine Variations
- Cranberry apple mulled wine. Replace some of the cranberry juice with apple cider and add a few apple slices for a softer, orchard style flavor.
- Sparkling cranberry mulled wine. Serve the mulled wine in heat safe glasses and top each serving with a small splash of dry sparkling wine right before serving.
- Extra spiced mulled wine. Add cardamom pods or allspice berries and increase the fresh ginger for a bolder spice profile.
- Non alcoholic cranberry mulled drink. Leave out the wine and brandy. Use cranberry juice, apple cider and water as the base and simmer with the same fruit and spices.
Serving Suggestions
Cranberry mulled wine is perfect for holiday open houses, tree lighting parties and any event where guests are coming in from the cold. Set up a small mulled wine station with mugs, garnishes and a clearly labeled sign that notes whether the batch is alcoholic or non alcoholic.
This drink pairs well with cheese and charcuterie, roasted nuts, soft pretzels, baked brie and anything with cranberry or orange on the appetizer table. For more seasonal drinks, visit our Christmas cocktails guide.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Combine all ingredients except the wine and brandy in the pot up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator.
- Add the wine when you are ready to warm and serve. Heat gently until steaming.
- Leftover mulled wine can be cooled, stored in the refrigerator up to 2 days and reheated gently. The flavor will intensify slightly as it sits.
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving, based on 6 servings.
- Calories: 220
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Sugar: 20 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
More Cranberry and Warm Holiday Cocktails
If you are planning a larger holiday event and need help estimating how much wine and spirits to buy, use our Alcohol Shopping List Calculator. When you are ready to hand off the bartending, visit our bartender booking page and let our team handle the heating, garnishing and pouring.
Cranberry Mulled Wine FAQs
Do cranberries go in mulled wine?
Yes. Fresh cranberries are a great addition to mulled wine. They add tart flavor, color and a festive garnish. You can simmer them directly in the pot and also use a few as a floating garnish in each mug.
What is the best wine for cranberry mulled wine?
Fruit forward, medium bodied reds like Merlot, Zinfandel, Shiraz or Malbec work best. They have enough flavor to stand up to the spices and cranberry without turning bitter when warmed.
Do wine and cranberry juice go well together?
Wine and cranberry juice are a natural match. The cranberry adds tartness and a bit of sweetness that balances the fruit in the wine, which is why you often see cranberry in spritzers, sangria and holiday punches.
What alcohol pairs well with cranberry in mulled wine?
In addition to red wine, brandy and orange liqueur pair very well with cranberry. They deepen the flavor and add warmth without overpowering the fruit and spice.
How hot should mulled wine be?
Warm mulled wine until it is steaming and comfortable to sip, not boiling. A gentle heat preserves the fruit flavor and alcohol while allowing the spices to infuse.
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