Cozy Red Wine Cocktail Recipe: Perfect for Winter Gatherings

Break out your tea sets or favorite mugs. This cozy cocktail, adapted from the restaurant Helen in Birmingham, Alabama, blends red wine, aged rum, and maple syrup. A mix of spices—cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, pink peppercorns, and cinnamon—infuses the wine as it heats gently on the stove. Garnish with orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Dried orange slices work well too.

What Type of Wine Should You Use for Mulled Wine?

For this winter drink, choose a dry, medium-bodied red wine. Good options include Beaujolais, Chianti, pinot noir, Grenache, or Malbec. Avoid heavy wines like zinfandel or cabernet sauvignon.

Tip: Heat the wine gently and avoid boiling it. Gentle heating preserves the alcohol in the recipe.