Mulled Red Wine Sangria
Mulled Red Wine Sangria is the perfect drink for Fall or Winter. Warm Spanish Sangria, infused with seasonal citrus fruits of apples and oranges and seasoned with warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg!
It’s one of the easiest cocktail recipes to make and you can make it on the stovetop or in the slow cooker in less than 30-minutes! Welcome your guests with a cozy and warm greeting with this easy Sangria recipe!
Mulled wine, also known as “spiced wine,” is reminiscent of “Wassail” – a mulled apple cider made from roasted apples.
Historically, British folks would gather together and go door-to-door during the Christmas holiday season, taking with them their mulled wine, and wishing their neighbors peace and goodwill! If you’re lucky enough to visit a European Christmas market, you’ll be served this warm and delicious holiday drink.
Why this recipe works
- This easy sangria recipe uses simple ingredients! You don’t need an expensive bottle of red wine or any fancy liqueur like Cointreau, brandy or Triple Sec!
- Make a large pitcher or serve the warm Spanish wine from a “thermos” coffee pot or ladle directly from the stove or slow cooker
- Easy mulled Sangria recipe you can make in advance
This delicious Fall or Winter drink pairs beautifully with a decadent cheeseboard, tapas or cheddar cheese wafers!
What you’ll need for mulled red wine Sangria
Start with a reputable Spanish Sangria red wine. There are several brands of sweet Spanish red wines on the market all under ten dollars-so you don’t need to buy an expensive wine or make homemade sangria!
There’s Real Sangria that’s pretty popular and Rancho Alto Sangria – either of these work in this red wine sangria recipe. Personally, I think the Rancho Alto is the best red wine sangria, but that’s just my opinion.
After that, you’ll need apple juice (or apple cider), navel oranges, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, a little ground nutmeg, ground cloves and a little Apple Pie Spice and some cinnamon sticks.
Note: if you’re using apple cider instead of apple juice, you may need to add a little more granulated and brown sugar to the recipe. Apple cider is unfiltered apples that have not been sweetened, strained or pasteurized so they’re not as sweet as apple juice.
How to make it
For best results, follow these easy steps! This easy recipe can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
For an easy stovetop method, in a large stockpot on medium heat, add the sangria and apple juice; then add the sugars and stir; cook until the sugar dissolves; add in the orange slices, nutmeg, ground cloves, apple pie spice and cinnamon sticks . Allow to simmer on low, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes;
Drain the mulled sangria through a fine mesh strainer and serve in a heat resistant mug or cup; garnish with a sugared rim, orange slice and a cinnamon stick.
If you want to make the mulled red wine in a slow cooker, add all the ingredients, including the citrus fruit and cook on low for 1-2 hours; drain through a fine mesh strainer and return to the slow cooker; add in orange slices or other sliced seasonal fruits (fresh fruit can be chopped apples, lemon slices, or cranberries); serve from the slow cooker with a ladle.
Recipe FAQ
A good rule of thumb for serving large groups: this recipe makes about four 6-ounce servings. If you’re making this for a party, allow 2 drinks per person (keep in mind, not everyone is a wine lover) – you may want to double or triple the recipe. (You can adjust the number of servings and ingredient proportions in the recipe card below)
The short answer is yes. You can use a red blend or perhaps a Pinot Noir as a base for mulled sangria. Keep in mind classic sangria is processed with a lot of fruit – lemons, oranges, apples) so you may want to add more fruit to the recipe.
Recipe Tips
Not a wine lover? If the sangria tastes bitter to you, add a little more brown sugar or a dash of orange juice
Want more of an orange flavor in your mulled wine? Add in an ounce or two of Triple Sec (an orange liqueur), Cointreau or Grand Marnier
Sangria is a relatively sweet red wine on it’s own, however, if you want it even sweeter, add in a little honey or maple syrup
Want more fruit? Add chopped red or green apples, sliced blood orange, pears or cranberries to give it texture and color!
Make ahead and storage
If you’re entertaining and want to make this fruity sangria recipe in advance, make it up to three days ahead of time and store it in an airtight container (mason jar) in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve it, simply reheat it on the stove.
Note: the orange slices will turn dark when marinated in the mulled wine. If you want a “pretty” punch bowl presentation, remove the marinated oranges from the mulled wine and add a few fresh slices to your punchbowl and individual serving cups. The orange flavor will still be present and the oranges will be bright and beautiful!
Serving suggestions
You can easily adapt this warm wine mixture to a refreshing summer version! For summer parties, make the mulled red wine sangria and refrigerate it. When ready to serve just add a splash of club soda or carbonated water and pour over ice!
Serving buffet style? Get a pretty, decorative “thermos” and put the sangria wine mixture in it – be sure to label it or else someone might think it’s hot tea or coffee. Place some sugar-rimmed mugs nearby with additional orange slices and cinnamon sticks.
Serve your holiday guests a warm glass of mulled red wine Sangria upon their arrival! It’s a great way to welcome folks in from the cold!
More holiday recipes
- Orange Italian Cream Cake
- Gingerbread Bundt Cake
- Foolproof Cookie Dough Recipe
- Classic Southern Pecan Pie
- Buttermilk Pie
- Homemade Marshamallows
- Maple Pecan Carrot Souffle
If you make this recipe, please scroll down and leave a comment and rating! I love to hear from you! Thank you!
Mulled Red Wine Sangria
Ingredients
- 750 ml Spanish Sangria (1 bottle)
- 1½ cups apple juice
- 2 large navel oranges, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
- granulated sugar for coating rim of serving cups
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, bring wine and apple juice to medium-high heat750 ml Spanish Sangria, 1½ cups apple juice
- Add in granulated and brown sugar, ground nutmeg, ground cloves and apple pie spice; stir and cook until sugars dissolve¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves, ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
- Add 5-6 thin orange slices and 3-4 cinnamon sticks; turn heat to simmer and allow mixture to simmer for 30 minutes; strain through a fine meshed strainer and serve individually,or return to stockpot for self-serving with a ladle
- For the sugar rimmed cup, pour sugar onto a large saucer; wet the edge of the serving cup with water and dip the rim of the cup into the sugar; set aside until time to serve the mulled Sangria
Excellent with great flavor and not bitter at all. I’ll be saving this recipe. Thank you.