Mulled White Wine Recipe with Rum – A Spiced Winter Drink

Mulled wine is a classic winter drink. It’s warm, comforting, and perfect for sipping by the fire. But if you don’t like red wine, this Mulled White Wine Recipe is what you need.

If you don't like red wine, this Mulled White Wine Recipe is what you need instead!

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A touch of rum gives it a little extra flavor! So if you’re looking for something to help you get through the cold weather, give this mulled wine recipe a try!

Mulled White Wine Recipe

The full ingredients list and instructions are found in the printable recipe card at the end of this post. I highly recommend reading the blog post all the way through so that you don’t miss any tips or substitution suggestions, to ensure that you have all the ingredients and equipment required and understand the steps and timings involved.

This mulled white wine recipe makes a lovely addition to the standard Christmas party beverage menu.

It’s perfect for serving to a crowd as you can keep it warm in a low-heat slow cooker and serve directly from the pot.

This warming drink looks beautiful and tastes delicious – full of Christmas flavors like orange, cloves, and cinnamon. Pair it with cozy appetizers like our Orange Cranberry Cheese and Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon or this Baked Brie with dried fruit and nuts.

This mulled drink recipe is part of a full holiday menu that I’m sharing – which means you don’t have to look too far for a full meal to serve to family and friends!

You’ll find the whole menu below with the other recipes which include an appetizer, a main dish, two side dishes, and a dessert.

What is Mulled Wine?

Mulled wine, sometimes referred to as spiced wine, is a hot or warm alcoholic beverage that is typically created with red wine, various mulling spices, and occasionally raisins. There are also versions without alcohol – try our recipe for Non-Alcoholic Mulled Apple Cider.

It is a traditional beverage during the winter, particularly around Christmas. You’ll find it for sale at European Christmas Markets, which you can sip on as you look around the festive wares.

In Polish Christmas markets, where mulled wine is frequently used as a mixer, you can find mulled wine flavoured with vodka.

Glühwein is a favourite in German-speaking nations and the Alsace area of France. Its name, which loosely translates as “smoldering wine,” comes from the temperature at which the wine is heated. It is a customary libation served over the Christmas season.

If you want to learn more about mulled wine and different variations around the world, the Mulled Wine Wiki page is full of interesting info!

Ingredients & Equipment Used In This Recipe

While most ingredients can be bought in grocery stores, for your convenience, any specialized or notable ingredients and equipment needed for this recipe have been linked to Amazon or other stores if available online. Staple ingredients such as oil, salt, sugar, etc., aren’t always included here as you’re likely to have those in your kitchen. The complete list of ALL ingredients with measurements is found on the recipe card.

• Fresh Produce – Apples, Oranges, Lemons
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Whole Cloves
• Cardamom Pods
• Star Anise
• Dry White Wine – use a wine that you enjoy drinking
• Rum – use your preferred brand
• Honey – try to buy locally-produced honey when possible.
• Pure Maple Syrup – buy the good, 100% stuff, anything less is just made up of flavorings and corn syrup. You can use either honey or maple syrup in this recipe.

Recipes on The Purple Pumpkin Blog use both cup measurements and/or weighted measurements. American cups and kitchen food scales are handy pieces of equipment to have in your kitchen as it means you’ll be able to make all of the different recipes on my blog. I try to give American, imperial, and metric measurements in my recipes. Please note, that you can mix cup measurements with weighted measurements, but never mix imperial (pounds, ounces, pints, etc.,) with metric (kilograms, grams, liters, etc.,).

What is the Best White Wine to Use for Mulled Wine?

I am by no means a wine expert, however, the best white wine to use for mulled wine, is one that you enjoy drinking!

We used a dry oak Chardonnay, but you could use a medium, medium-dry, or even sweet white wine if that is your preference – whether that is Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Reisling, or Moscato, it will all be good.

Use quality wine; a cheap wine will only degrade everyone’s taste buds. There is a place and time for expensive wine, and mulled wine is not one of them! Use a moderately priced wine, and everything will go perfectly with your mulled beverage.

TIP! Why not use a box of white wine that won’t cost a fortune when preparing mulled wine for a crowd?

More Recipes Using Wine

One of the hero ingredients in this dish is wine, so here are some more recipes using the same:

• Manitaria Krasata – Greek-Cypriot Mushrooms in Wine
• Grilled Lamb Loin Chops with Herbes de Provence Crust
• Lucifer Morningstar Cocktail With Spiced Rum, Red Wine & Ginger Beer

More Hot Drink Recipes

Looking for more hot drinks to make? Check these recipes out next:

• Slow Cooker Mulled Wine – A Must-Make Holiday Beverage
• Hot Buttered Pineapple Mocktail
• Hot Buttered Rum Recipe

Mulled White Wine Recipe Tips

• Storing Leftovers: Strain the mulled wine to remove the fruit and spices and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Do not refrigerate with the fruit and species as it will turn the drink bitter.
• Freezing Instructions: Not suitable
• With all leftovers, make sure it looks and smells okay before consuming.

How Do I Make Mulled White Wine?

The printable recipe card below has the full ingredients list and instructions. To save ink, any demonstration photos on the card do not print out.

Mulled White Wine

Michelle Ordever

If you don't like red wine, this Mulled White Wine Recipe is what you need instead!

3 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Beverages

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 231 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x4x

• 1 apple sliced into rounds
• 1 orange sliced into rounds
• ½ lemon sliced into rounds (reduce or skip for a softer citrus note)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 3 cardamom pods
• 2 star anise
• 1 750 ml bottle dry white wine such as an oaked chardonnay
• ¼ cup rum
• ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 orange juiced

SUGGESTED PRODUCTS

• Double Wall Glasses 8-oz
• Irish Coffee Mugs
• Nonstick Saucepan with Glass Lid

Instructions

 

• Add all ingredients to a medium, non-reactive saucepan.
  
• Place over medium-low heat and bring to a gentle simmer—don’t let it boil, or you’ll cook off the alcohol.
  
• Simmer for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how strong you like the spice. You can keep the mixture warm on low heat for up to 1 hour if serving later, but avoid prolonged simmering to prevent bitterness.
• Taste and adjust sweetness if desired—add a splash more honey or maple syrup to suit your taste.
• Serve warm in heatproof mugs or glasses. Garnish with extra slices of fruit and whole spices if you like!
  

Notes

Wine Tip: An unoaked, slightly fruity white wine works best. Oaked Chardonnay can become bitter when heated.

Citrus Balance: Reduce or skip the lemon for a softer flavor. Add citrus slices toward the end of simmering to avoid bitterness.

Simmering Time: No need to simmer for hours—15 to 30 minutes is plenty. White wine is delicate and can become harsh if overcooked.

Serving Suggestion: Pairs beautifully with festive treats or holiday desserts.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 8mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 32g

Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.

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Make It A Special Dinner!

I know there is a set meal at the top of this post, but here are some alternatives for you!

• Appetizer: Recipe for Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts
• Soup: 30-Minute Instant Pot Tomato Soup Recipe
• Salad: Orange Pomegranate Salad with Goat Cheese, Avocado & Pecans
• Main Dish: Balsamic Roast Beef Tenderloin with Olive Tapenade
• Side Dish: Creamy Cauliflower Gratin Recipe With Two Kinds of Cheese
• Side Dish: Creamed Spinach with Caramelized Onions
• Dessert: Whiskey Chocolate Cake Recipe with Chocolate Coconut Ganache

There are 500+ Recipes on The Purple Pumpkin Blog for you to enjoy – please feel free to check them out too.

This post is part of my long-running Create the Holidays series on The Purple Pumpkin Blog. Since 2012, I’ve shared free printables, crafts, recipes, and more for Christmas and the Winter Holidays. While I don’t officially run the series anymore, seasonal inspiration will still be here! Browse past Create the Holidays (formerly Create Christmas) years: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

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