Gingerbread Spiced Mulled Wine

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Deck the halls and get into the Christmas spirit with this deliciously warming Gingerbread Spiced Mulled Wine! Similar to the classic festive drink, but now made to taste just like a gingerbread cookie. Red wine, brown sugar, classic mulling spices, a little bit fresh ginger, a splash of orange and lemon juice, and finally finished with our secret ingredient…molasses! All mixed together, it creates a perfectly sweet, warming, boozy, festive drink that’s sure to keep you warm all winter long. Serve with homemade gingerbread cookies, a decorative sprig of rosemary (or even a cinnamon stick!) and a few fresh cranberries to really make this drink pop! This mulled wine is truly the perfect drink to serve at parties, get-togethers, or with friends and family while you decorate the tree. So. GOOD.

→ This post is also available as a Web Story: Gingerbread Spiced Mulled Wine

About The Recipe

If I’m being honest, I wish every season was gingerbread season! Winter, spring, summer, fall… Doesn’t matter! Any time of the year should be time for gingerbread, as it’s one of the most amazing and comforting flavors there is.

Though, there is nothing like enjoying a warm bite of gingerbread during the coldest days of the winter.

And, with these temperatures this winter, we are definitely trying to stay warm! The temperatures has been steady dropping and winter is definitely set in. So, staying warm is definite priority. And, if you’ve been following us on Instagram, then you’ve gotten a few sneak peaks as we’ve been trying to perfect this recipe.

It’s taken us almost an entire month, but we have finally achieved the ultimate gingerbread spiced mulled wine!

And trust me when I say, all that work was soooo worth it.

But, where did this inspiration come from? Well, on our last Disney trip, we wandered around Epcot…like, pretty much the entire trip was hanging out at Epcot. It was during the Festival of the Holiday’s! So, there were tons of food booths, entertainment, rides to ride, and so forth.

Though, there was one thing in particular that stuck in our minds, even long after we came home….

A gingerbread spiced Glühwein! Aka german mulled wine.

It was the best thing we had ever tasted! It made my mom so happy that, after we got home from our trip, I got to work on a surprise. A bottle of wine and a trip to our local spice store to help me curate the perfect spice blend to surprise my mom as a Christmas present.

I even got her the cute glasses you see in the pictures! She loved it so much, but I will admit, the spice blend wasn’t exactly right. It’s the thought that counts, right?

So, here we are. A month later with the perfect gingerbread spiced mulled wine to share with all of you!

Honestly, I can’t even begin to describe to you how good this actually is. It’s sweet without being too sweet, with just the right amount of spices, and definitely warming! The only downside? It tends to disappears way too fast!

Everyone in our family loves it! It’s a total crowd pleaser and truly the perfect drink to enjoy the holiday’s!

What Wine To Use In Mulled Wine?

Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlot, or Zinfandel are all wines that will work beautifully for mulled wine! They’re dark, very fruity and full bodied, which means they can really hold up and compliment the flavors in a mulled wine. We’ve learned that it’s best to read the labels and look for descriptions such as “jammy”, “bold”, or, if possible, a wine with vanilla or spice notes!

Another thing to keep in mind is that the wine shouldn’t be expensive. Generally cheaper the better!

Is Spiced Wine, Mulled Wine, and Glühwein The Same?

Actually, yes! While all may taste different, as everyone has a different recipe, they’re all a spiced drink that’s served warm. This recipe was inspired by a gingerbread glühwein we had at Disney World, but we opted to call it mulled wine, as it’s a more common term.

Reasons You Will Love This Gingerbread Spiced Mulled Wine

• It’s SO easy to make.
• Ready in 30 minutes or less.
• Literally tastes like a gingerbread cookie!
• A serious crowd pleaser.
• Makes the kitchen smell so festive and cozy.
• The perfect way to stay warm all winter long!

Equipment Needed

• 2 Quart Pot
• Woden Spoon
• Sieve
• Ladle
• Mugs

Ingredients

(Full ingredient amounts and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post)

• Water
• Brown Sugar
• Molasses
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Allspice Berries
• Star Anise Pod
• Whole Cloves
• Cardamom Pods
• Fresh Ginger
• Orange Juice
• Lemon Juice
• Red Wine

How To Make Gingerbread Spiced Mulled Wine

Step 1: Crack the cardamom

Crack the cardamom and remove seeds. Discard the shells.

Step 2: Make gingerbread syrup

In a 2 quart pot, combine water, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon sticks, allspice, star anise, cloves, cardamom seeds, ginger, orange juice, and lemon juice. Cook over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 20 minutes.

Step 3: Add the wine

Add wine and heat through.

How To Store

The best thing is to store this mulled wine in is an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for a few days.

It also reheats really well! So, whether the wine has gone cold or you’ve refrigerated it, just place it in the microwave for about 30 seconds to reheat. You can also reheat it on the stove over low heat in a small pot. It works really well and retains the flavor!

Substitutions

• If you do not have individual whole spices, you can buy mulling spices, but it may not taste as gingerbread-y as it should,
• Store-bought orange juice and lemon juice can be used, if needed, but it really is best to use fresh if you can.
• Any dark, full bodied, and cheap red wine should work. Merlot or Zinfandel’s are great if you do not have a jammy Cabernet Sauvignon.

Looking for more recipes like this? Here are a few you may like: Gingerbread Cookies, Spiced Apple Cider, Homemade Southern Eggnog, Classic Hot Toddy, Pomegranate Moscow Mule

Expert Tips

• 2 oranges is equal to ½ cup juice and ½ of a lemon is equal to 4 teaspoons
• When it comes to wine, make sure to use a cheap, fruit forward, and jammy Cabernet Sauvignon!
• If you’re not a fan of star anise, you can leave it out without any issues.
• Be sure to discard the shells after cracking open the cardamom pods! Personally, I pop them on the counter with my hand to open them, but you can use a knife. Just be careful!
• Don’t forget to peel and slice your ginger!
• When making the syrup, do not let it boil. You don’t want it to burn!
• After adding the wine, simply keep the heat on low and stir occasionally. It typically takes about 2 minutes for the wine to heat through all the way.
• Use a fine meshed sieve to strain the mulled wine into your mugs before serving!
• Have fun with the decorating when you serve! Try orange twists, cinnamon sticks, slices of orange, fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, or even gingerbread cookies.

When you make Gingerbread Spiced Mulled Wine recipe, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #BakersTable.

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