With our non-alcoholic mulled wine recipe, you’ll have a delicious seasonal drink that anyone can enjoy. Yep, that’s right; even kids and people who don’t like the taste of liquor.
You can customise our non-alcoholic mulled wine with many variations to suit each individual’s preferences. We've tried some of the top spiced wine recipes, and we’ve concluded that there is no universally perfect brew.
So instead of telling you what you should put in it, we’ll teach you how to make this drink based on your tastes and allow you the creative freedom of making it your own.
Get ready to spice up the holidays because here’s how to cook up some fantastic non-alcoholic mulled wine!
Jump to:
- What is Non-alcoholic Mulled Wine Made of?
- What Does Non-alcoholic Mulled Wine Taste Like?
- Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Ingredients
- How to Make Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Spicier
- How to Make Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Sweeter
- Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine (Slow Cooker)
- Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Cooking Tips
- Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Recipe
What is Non-alcoholic Mulled Wine Made of?
Non-alcoholic mulled wine is a mocktail made of fruit juices, spices (star anise, cinnamon, and cloves), and fruits.
While the spices are typically the same from recipe to recipe, the juices and fruits used tend to change. Many people recommend using grape, apple, or pomegranate juice. However, if you prefer, you can even use non-alcoholic wine.
As for the fruits, the most common are fresh orange slices and blackberries. Of course, don’t be scared to add some cranberries, apples, or lemon if that’s your thing.
What Does Non-alcoholic Mulled Wine Taste Like?
Mulled wine has an aromatic flavour and tastes sweet, tart, and fruity at the same time. It’s “spiced” but not spicy, meaning there’s a slight kick that doesn’t persist. Since this is a non-alcoholic version, this recipe won’t taste boozy, but it’ll still be just as delicious.
Asian spice is an excellent example of dry ingredients that go well in teas and other drinks. If you’re familiar with this term, you probably already have everything you need to make your non-alcoholic mulled wine.
Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Ingredients
To make some classy spiced wine without alcohol, you’ll need fruit juice, spices, fruit, and sugar. Wait, that’s it? Yep! This recipe is both versatile and straightforward.
Here’s the rundown of each ingredient and what you can use:
Fruit juice
Fruit juice is the base of alcohol-less mulled wine and replaces red wine, which is the traditional ingredient. Depending on what you put in it, the primary flavour palette can be a combination of sweet, tart, and sour notes.
Your best bet is to use grape or apple juice since they resemble the flavour of wine most closely, but many alternatives work equally well. Our favourites include cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, and blueberry juice. You can even make your non-alcoholic mulled wine with orange juice or grapefruit juice if that’s what you like.
The trick to finding a juice that works well usually meets the following criteria: they’re sweet and tart. On the other hand, you can also use non-alcoholic wine, which fits this recipe marvellously.
Additionally, for those who want a more complex fusion of flavours, you can mix different juices to create something unique.
For example, blueberry, cranberry, and pomegranate juice have a nice synergy and work well together. Apple is an all-around byproduct that can give body to any other juice. Pear juice is light, yet a little bit can go a long way when you add it to your brew.
Remember, trying new things can lead to a beautiful (and tasty) new creation!
Spices
The three main spices you’ll use for this recipe are cloves, star anise, and cinnamon sticks.
The cloves add a nice bit of heat and bitterness, while the star anise has a liquorice flavour with a hint of sweetness. Your cinnamon sticks will impart a citrusy wooden kick and bring everything together.
You’ll end up with a comforting blend of dried spices reminiscent of winter recipes and an incredible flavour for your mulled wine.
Are you looking for another fiery drink that incorporates these ingredients? Try our authentic chai spice recipe!
Fruits
In addition to fruit juices, the incorporation of fresh fruit is also an essential component of non-alcoholic mulled wine. While the exact taste of the fruits will vary depending on what you put in your blend, fresh fruit will usually be sweet, tart, bitter, and citrusy.
The top-tier fruits you can use for this recipe are oranges and blackberries.
Some people have recommended removing the orange peel to make the drink less bitter. However, we found the difference is negligible as the sweetness and spiciness counteract the subtle bitters of orange peel.
Other fruits you might want to consider using are:
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Grapefruit
- Blood orange
- Lemon
Depending on how sweet or bitter you want your brew, you can mix and match these fruits to create something ideal for your tastes.
Sugar
Usually, chefs add extra sugar to mulled wine to balance the various flavours in the fruits and spices. While the sweetness of the juice and fruits may be enough for some, sugar is necessary for bringing out the recipe to its full potential.
You can also use many ingredients instead of sugar, such as maple syrup and honey, which will have a unique tang of their own.
How to Make Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Spicier
Some people like their mulled wine on the spicier side. If you enjoy an added kick to their alcohol-less brew, then there are a few ingredients you can put in to accommodate your preferences.
The first thing you can do is add more cloves, cinnamon, and star anise. That is the easiest way to make your wine spicier, and you’re likely to have an excess of these spices once you obtain them for the recipe. They’re a valuable addition to any pantry, though. You can use them for flavouring meats, soups, oatmeal, and countless other recipes.
Additionally, there are other spices you can include in your juice. Cardamon, nutmeg, and ginger are viable options when it comes to piquant spices, so don’t shy away from trying some, or all, of these.
Alternatively, if you like your mulled wine less spicy, then you can just reduce the number of spices you use in the original recipe.
How to Make Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Sweeter
For those of you with a sweet tooth, making your non-alcoholic spiced cocktail sweeter is a cinch. All you need to do is reduce the number of spices you put in or add extra sweetener.
Since cloves are the most significant factor in your drink’s spiciness, you can start by halving the amount you put in. That will allow the sweetness of the juice to shine more, as the cloves won’t counter it.
If you don’t want to sacrifice any flavour, then you can add ¼ of your original sweetener to the mix. Taste to test sweetness and keep adding this amount until you’ve reached your desired sweetness.
Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine (Slow Cooker)
Do you just want to throw everything together and let the pot do all the work? Well, you’re in luck because you can use a convenient slow cooker, and it’ll fill your house with that fragrant aroma while you sit by a crackling fire.
Just toss your ingredients inside your slow cooker and cook on low heat for about an hour and a half. The slow cooker will take a bit more time than the stovetop, but you don’t need to constantly keep an eye on your pot. Other than that, both processes follow a similar group of steps.
Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Cooking Tips
Before you get started, keep the following tips in mind for the best results:
Choosing a Non-alcoholic Wine
If you opt for a non-alcoholic wine over fruit juice, you probably want to go for the cheaper stuff. Since this is a cocktail, tons of different flavours get added to the mix, and it’ll be hard to distinguish high-quality wine from inexpensive brands.
Sweeter wines, like alcohol-free merlot, add a fruity flavour and synergize well with the other ingredients. Alternatively, dry wines like alcohol-free cabernet impart a subtle hint of vanilla, making your spiced wine smoother.
The main components when choosing a non-alcoholic wine are essentially price and accessibility. If you have access to a wide variety of them, then feel free to experiment and try out different types.
Of course, if you crave a lovely vanilla flavour, then you’ll love this vanilla chai recipe. It has all the spiciness of mulled wine but has a much smoother vanilla flavour and isn’t quite as sweet.
Use Whole Spices
You can use ground spices in a pinch, but you’ll get the best flavour and texture from using whole spices. That means using whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and dried star anise.
You’ll remove these spices in the end, but the smack they impart is incredible, and they’re also aesthetically pleasing (for those who like posting their food on Instagram).
Don’t Boil Your Spices
If you leave your spices in too long or cook them at too high of a heat, then they can overtake your wine and overpower all the other flavours. You’ll want to gently release their fragrance by letting them simmer at a low heat.
For the duration of cooking time, your pot should be lightly steaming and not bubbling rapidly.
Add Fruits Last
Like the spices, if you add in your fruits initially, they’ll overpower the other flavours in the mix, and your non-alcoholic cocktail will become too sweet. Once you add your spices, take the time to cut your fruits and add them in last.
The fruits you use to garnish should also be added at the end, as they’re more for decoration than flavour (though they will add a vibrant freshness).
If you want another sweet, spiced beverage, then you’re gonna want to check out this spectacular pink tea brew!
Remove Spices Before Serving
The whole spices are for flavouring, not eating. You’ll want to strain your non-alcoholic mulled wine or remove your spices with a slotted spoon, as the reminiscence can give off an unpleasant, bitter flavour if eaten whole.
Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups apple juice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 6 cloves
- ½ cup blackberries
- 2 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 orange sliced
Instructions
- Add liquids and water to a large pot and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in spices, sugar, and fruit in the pot. Simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes. You can leave for longer if you want a deeper flavor. Taste for sweetness and add sugar to taste.
- Remove from heat, then take out the fruits and spices.
- Throw in fresh orange slices and cranberries for garnish, then serve hot or chilled.
Notes
- When using a bottle of non-alcoholic wine instead of fruit juices, leave out the water as well.
- Brown sugar can be used instead of white to obtain a richer, caramel-like flavor.
- Non-alcoholic wine can be stored for 3-4 days in the fridge. Keep in an airtight container and serve chilled, or reheat in the microwave or on a stovetop to serve hot.
Nutrition
Calories have been calculated using an online calculator. Nutritional information offered on Honest Food Talks is for general information purposes and are only rough estimations.
So there you have it! That’s our simple recipe for non-alcoholic mulled wine. The ingredients are easily customizable, and the cooking process is so simple that pretty much everyone can make it in under an hour. This recipe will fill your home with a warm, pleasant aroma.
Have you tried our alcohol-free spiced wine recipe, or do you have any questions? Tell us in the comments down below.
Also, make sure to follow us on Instagram @honestfoodtalks for more delicious recipes.
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