Easy Nonalcoholic Mulled Wine for Cold-Weather Comfort

Ingredients

• 18 ounces grape juice or nonalcoholic red wine
• 6 ounces tart cherry juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 4-6 whole cloves
• 2 whole cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange, sliced
• Warm water
• Cinnamon stick and orange slice for garnish

Instructions

1. In a medium-size saucepan over low heat, add juices/wine, simple syrup, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices.
2. Allow to simmer for approximately twenty minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Immediately prior to serving, warm a mug by filling with hot water.
4. After the mug is warm to the touch, pour out the water.
5. Carefully pour nonalcoholic mulled wine into mug.
6. Garnish with cinnamon stick and orange slice.
7. Makes five 5-ounce servings.

Variations and Substitutions

With a few swaps or a flick of the wrist, you can craft a few different nonalcoholic mulled wines.

• Skip the tart cherry juice and use pomegranate juice instead. Additionally, you can use equal parts cherry juice and pomegranate juice in combination.
• If you desire a sweeter nonalcoholic mulled wine, start by adding an additional half of an ounce of simple syrup and adding more to taste.
• You can add a half tablespoon of cloves or up to four whole star anise for a more spiced flavor.
• Apple cider can add a soft sweetness and extra layer of flavor, but no more than an ounce.
• Add the juice of half of an orange for a citrussy drink.

Garnishes

A cinnamon stick and slice of fruit is a fairly standard garnish for any style of mulled wine, but there are several other options to choose from, thankfully.

• Opt for a few slices from a fresh apple or pear. Conversely, you can use a dehydrated apple or pear slice for a more unique look.
• Punch up the citrus flavors by using a lemon or lime slice. Or a citrus wedge and wheel make for a great touch. As with the other fruits, a dehydrated citrus wheel would complete the drink with a fun flair.
• Pierce several cocktail cherries together on a cocktail pick. You can even add a citrus or fruit garnish to this pick as well.
• Make your garnish spice focused by adding a whole star anise.
• Pierce an orange wheel with several cloves to use as a garnish.

Evolution of Nonalcoholic Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is far from a modern enjoyment as it has existed since the dawn of record-keeping. People traditionally enjoy mulled wine, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, around the Christmas holiday season, but it's an excellent cold-weather cocktail for any time. There's no reason to not make nonalcoholic wine just as special. So be sure to enjoy this in a favorite mug. You can even enjoy it in a clear mug that allows you to see the spices, fruits, and other ingredients you use along the way.

The recipes have shifted and changed over the centuries with ingredient availability and cultural preferences swaying each modification or alteration to best suit the needs of the people and the occasion, just as the mulled wine can be crafted into a nonalcoholic version to better suit individual preferences.

Nonalcoholic Mulled Wine for All

When it comes to warming up any time of the day, nonalcoholic mulled wine checks all of the boxes. You can quickly whip up a warm drink to enjoy with breakfast and not worry about feeling sluggish, or even enjoy it in the afternoon while working. Skip the usual mulled wine in favor of an all-day sipper.