Tis the season for mulled wine!
There are few things that make a house feel cozier quite as quickly as a pot of mulled wine warming on the stove.
Citrus, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, and star anise slowly infuse into the wine, filling the kitchen with all of those warm, spiced aromas that belong to chilly evenings, holiday gatherings, and nights spent curled up at home.
And despite how special it feels, mulled wine is incredibly easy to make.
That’s exactly why we created our Indigo & Rye Mulled Wine Kits — everything you need to turn a bottle of wine into a warm, fragrant batch of mulled wine, already portioned and ready for the pot.
What Is Mulled Wine?
Mulled wine is simply wine that has been gently warmed with citrus and spices. Versions of it are enjoyed throughout Europe and around the world, particularly during the colder months and around the holidays.
The trick is to warm the wine gently rather than boil it. Giving the spices and fruit time to steep allows all those flavors to infuse into the wine without cooking away everything that makes the wine taste like wine.
And while red wine may be the traditional choice, it isn't your only option.
You can make mulled wine with:
Red wine
White wine
Rosé
Each creates a slightly different drink, so don't be afraid to experiment.
What's Inside an Indigo & Rye Mulled Wine Kit?
Each kit contains a fragrant blend of whole and dried ingredients:
Dried orange slices, dried lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, dehydrated ginger slices, green cardamom pods, and whole cloves.
Keeping the ingredients whole allows them to infuse the wine gradually and makes them easy to strain out before serving.
You'll provide the bottle of wine and, if you'd like, a little sweetener and an optional splash of spirits.
How to Make Mulled Wine
You'll Need
1 Indigo & Rye Mulled Wine Kit
1 bottle of wine — red, white, or rosé
Sugar, honey, or maple syrup, to taste
Optional: rum, whiskey, or amaretto
Instructions
Pour 1 bottle of wine into a medium pot and add the entire Indigo & Rye mulling kit.
Warm the wine over medium-low heat until steaming, but do not allow it to boil.
Reduce the heat to low and let the wine mull for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Taste the wine and add a tablespoon or two of sugar, honey, or maple syrup if you'd like it a little sweeter.
For a little extra warmth, stir in 1–2 ounces of rum, whiskey, or amaretto right before serving.
Strain the mulled wine into mugs and enjoy warm.
What Kind of Wine Should You Use?
You definitely don't need an expensive bottle.
Because you're adding citrus and spices, this is a great use for an affordable bottle of wine that you already enjoy drinking.
For a classic mulled wine, try a medium- or full-bodied red. Something fruity rather than heavily oaked works especially well.
But don't overlook white wine or rosé.
Mulled white wine tends to be lighter and brighter, allowing the citrus, ginger, and cardamom to really shine.
Mulled rosé lands somewhere in between, with plenty of fruitiness and a beautiful color.
In other words: use what you like.
Make It Your Own
One of my favorite things about mulled wine is how easy it is to adjust to your taste.
Prefer it sweeter? Add a little more honey or maple syrup.
Want a stronger citrus flavor? Drop an extra slice of fresh orange into your mug.
Serving it for a holiday gathering? Add a splash of rum, whiskey, or amaretto just before serving.
You can even garnish each mug with an orange slice or cinnamon stick if you're feeling fancy.
An Easy Drink for Holiday Entertaining
Mulled wine is particularly wonderful when you're hosting because you can make a batch before guests arrive and keep it warm over very low heat.
Your house smells amazing, guests can serve themselves, and you aren't stuck mixing individual drinks all evening.
For a larger gathering, simply use multiple bottles of wine and one Indigo & Rye kit for each bottle.
It's also a fun alternative to cocktails for Thanksgiving, Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, neighborhood gatherings, or a cozy night around a fire.
A Little Shortcut to Something Cozy
The best seasonal foods don't necessarily have to be complicated.
Our Indigo & Rye Mulled Wine Kits were created so you can open a bottle of wine, empty the kit into a pot, and have something warm and special ready in about half an hour — without buying seven different containers of spices or figuring out how much of each one to use.
Just add wine.
Then grab a mug, find a comfortable spot, and enjoy one of the coziest drinks of the season.
Indigo & Rye Mulled Wine Kits are available while supplies last.
