Cozy Mulled Wine with a Little Shop Twist
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When the air turns crisp and Main Street sparkles with holiday charm, nothing says warm and welcoming quite like a steaming pot of mulled wine. This cozy classic fills your home (and your heart) with aromas of citrus, spice, and slow-simmered comfort — and with a splash of our balsamics, it becomes a Little Shop masterpiece.
In the photo above, you’ll see exactly what we love most: ruby-red wine infused with slices of fresh apple and orange, whole cinnamon sticks, star anise, and winter berries. But the secret ingredient that brings it all together? A drizzle of Cinnamon Pear Balsamic or Cara Cara Orange Vanilla Balsamic.
Both add natural sweetness, warmth, and depth — no refined sugar needed.
Serve this mulled wine at holiday gatherings, girls’ nights, Thanksgiving prep days, tree-decorating evenings, or as the warm welcome when guests walk into your home. It’s festive, fragrant, and easy… and it makes the whole house smell like the holidays.
Little Shop Holiday Mulled Wine
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Drinks & Cocktails
Cuisine
American
Author:
The Little Shop of Olive Oils
Servings
6
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
30-45 minutes
Warm, cozy, and bursting with holiday aroma — this mulled wine blends red wine with apple, orange, cinnamon, and a splash of our Cinnamon Pear or Cara Cara Orange Vanilla Balsamic for natural sweetness and festive depth. A simple, beautiful sip for gatherings, gifting, or a quiet night by the tree.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle dry red wine (Merlot, Shiraz, or Cabernet)
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2–3 cinnamon sticks
- 4–5 whole cloves
- 2 whole star anise
- 3–4 cardamom pods (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
-
2–3 tablespoons Cinnamon Pear Balsamic
- 1/4 cup apple cider (optional, for extra body)
- 1–2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional — balsamic often adds enough sweetness)
Directions
- In a medium pot, combine the wine, sliced apple, sliced orange, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and cardamom.
- Warm over low heat — do not boil — until the wine is gently steaming.
- Stir in the Cinnamon Pear Balsamic (or Cara Cara Orange Vanilla Balsamic) and apple cider if using.
- Allow the mixture to simmer on low for 30–45 minutes, tasting and adjusting sweetness with honey or syrup as desired.
- Remove from heat and ladle into mugs. Garnish with apple slices, orange wheels, or a cinnamon stick.
Recipe Note
- Try a drizzle of Blood Orange Olive Oil over sliced oranges for garnish — it adds shine and a hint of citrus aroma.
- Keep warm in a slow cooker for parties.
- Add a splash of Pomegranate Balsamic if you want deeper berry richness.