Mulled Wine Syrup, Perfect for Gift Giving (for Mulled Cider, too!)
This mulled wine syrup recipe is more of a mixer than a syrup, but it makes a wonderful Christmas gift when paired with a lovely bottle of red wine and some festive ribbon!
I think people really appreciate homemade gifts, like mulled wine syrup, so much more than something that’s purchased.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What do you think? I love to put some homemade gifts on a plate, or in a little basket and wrap it up for a lovely hostess gift. Things like homemade vanilla, a liqueur, candy or even cookies are usually gifts everyone will enjoy, and won’t be cast aside or re-gifted!
What is Mulled Wine?
Mulled wine is just red wine (usually) which has been infused with spices, then heated and served warm. Have you ever had mulled wine? It’s such a wintery and festive beverage, but definitely isn’t nearly as popular in the US as it is in Europe. It’s served as glühwein at all the Christmas markets in places like Germany and Austria, and in France it’s known as vin chaud (hot wine).
Another way to use wine is to poach pears! They’re so easy to make, too!
Conveniently, mulled wine syrup takes just a few minutes to make and all you really need are pretty bottles and ribbon. If you’re really creative, you can make some lovely labels, too. I won’t lie, I’m not only making this to give away, as I love mulled wine!
There’s no need to combine spices when you want to enjoy mulled wine or hard cider. Simply add the premade syrup to your beverage of choice, heat and serve! I wouldn’t add it to apple juice, as I fear it’d be much too sweet.
I adapted this from a BBC Good Food recipe and added fresh squeezed orange juice which makes the mulled syrup cloudy (which doesn’t bother me as the flavor is fabulous). Is this something you’ll try? Let me know in the comments below. You can gift this along with a bottle of wine or hard cider for a truly thoughtful gift.
Mulled Wine Syrup (for Hard Cider too)
adapted from a BBC GOOD FOOD recipe makes about 1 liter
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- sugar
- fresh, organic oranges
- cloves
- allspice berries or ground allspice
- ground nutmeg
Special equipment: glass bottles (optional, ribbons and labels)
Directions
Wash the bottles, rinse with boiling water, and place in a warm oven to dry completely.
Place all of the ingredients in a pot and stir to dissolve sugar over medium low heat. Bring to a simmer then continue to cook for about 30 minutes.
Allow to cool, then strain the syrup before pouring into prepared bottles.
Finally, print or write the directions to be added to mulled wine syrup in the bottles for gifting and for use.
Serving directions:
Heat 1 ½ c (350 ml) mulled wine syrup with one 750ml bottle of red wine or hard cider.
Garnish with orange or apple slices and/or cinnamon sticks.
Syrup will keep in a cool, dark place for up to 1 month.
Don’t miss another recipe or travel post; sign up for my free subscription above!
Mulled Wine Syrup, Perfect for Gift Giving and Mulled Cider, too!
Ingredients
- 3 c water
- ¾ c sugar
- 2 oranges cut into a few pieces (squeeze the juice from half an orange)
- 1 tsp orange zest from about 1 orange
- 4 cloves (more or less, depending on preference)
- 4 allspice berries (or add 1/4 tsp ground allspice)
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Wash the bottles and place in a warm oven to dry completely.
- Place all of the ingredients in a pot and stir to dissolve sugar over medium low heat. Bring to a simmer then continue to cook for about 30 minutes.
- Allow to cool, then strain the syrup before pouring into prepared bottles.
- Directions to be added to bottles for gifting and for use: Serving directions: Heat 1 ½ c (150 ml) syrup with one 750ml bottle of red wine or hard cider; garnish with orange or apple slices and/or cinnamon sticks. Syrup will keep in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Makes about 1 liter of syrup.
Nutrition
Christina’s Cucina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
This recipe looks delicious, however I am a little confused with the serving directions for gifting. It says to heat 12 oz (3/4 cup) to one 750 ml bottle of wine. 12 oz is actually 1/2 cups, not 3;4 cup. What is the correct amount? Thanks!
You are right (I think you meant 1 ½ cups), Deb! It is 12 oz or 1.5 cups to one regular bottle of wine. I have fixed it and edited the post and recipe card. Thank you!! Enjoy the syrup. :)
Do you think this could be used with mead as well as wine?
Hi Keri, given that mead is already sweet, I would think it would be much too sweet with this syrup added to it. Maybe you could add spices to the mead without the syrup.
I love homemade gifts! This sounds perfect.
Thanks, Cathy!