As the festive season settles in and the year draws to a close, the Buchler Phillips team is delighted to share a little seasonal tradition that never fails to bring warmth, comfort, and a touch of nostalgia: homemade mulled wine.
A favourite at Christmas markets and winter gatherings, mulled wine has travelled a long way before becoming such a cherished part of the British holiday table. Its story begins in Ancient Rome, where wine was warmed and spiced to ward off the winter chill. As the Romans expanded across Europe, they carried their love of this aromatic drink with them. Over the centuries, each region added its own twist — from honeyed mixtures in medieval Germany to fragrant Scandinavian glögg — until the tradition eventually reached the UK. By Victorian times, mulled wine had become firmly rooted in British festive culture, celebrated as the perfect accompaniment to Christmas feasts and winter celebrations.
Today, its blend of citrus, cinnamon, cloves, and warming red wine still evokes that timeless seasonal spirit — a reminder of togetherness, celebration, and simple pleasures. In this month’s Tried and Tested: Recipes You’ll Love, our team shares a homemade mulled wine recipe that you can easily make with simple ingredients and a good quality red wine! Making mulled wine at home allows you also to control the sweetness and spice levels and is a simple process. The key is to warm the wine gently and never let it boil, as this will cook off the alcohol and can make the spices bitter.
We’ve also included a few easy food pairings to elevate your festive gatherings, whether you’re entertaining guests or simply enjoying a quiet winter evening at home.
As we raise a glass to the season, all of us at Buchler Phillips would like to thank our clients, colleagues, and friends for their continued trust and support throughout the year. We wish you a joyful Christmas and a healthy, successful, and inspiring New Year. May the months ahead be as warm and flavourful as the first sip of mulled wine.
Homemade Mulled Wine Recipe
1 bottle of fruity red wine (Merlot, Zinfandel, or Cabernet Sauvignon work well)
1 large orange, sliced or peeled
1/4 cup sugar or honey, adjust to taste
2-3 cinnamon sticks
2-4 whole cloves
2 star anise
Dash of brandy or sloe gin for extra richness, optional
- Combine the red wine, orange slices/peel, sweetener, and all the spices in a large saucepan or slow cooker.
- Heat slowly over a low to medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar or honey completely.
- Bring the mixture just to a simmer, but do not boil.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for at least 15-30 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse.
- Strain the mulled wine through a sieve into a jug to remove the spices and fruit.
- Serve warm in heatproof mugs or glasses, garnished with a fresh orange slice or a cinnamon stick.
Food pairings for Mulled Wine
Savory Bites and Cheeses – Salty and creamy foods provide a wonderful contrast to the sweet, spiced beverage:
- Salty & Creamy Cheeses: The best cheeses to pair are strong, salty, and creamy varieties that can hold their own against the wine’s intensity. Blue Cheese (like Stilton, Roquefort, or Gorgonzola) is a top choice; aged Cheddar, Comté, or Gruyère also pair well, offering a nutty, savoury balance.
- Pigs in Blankets & Sausage Rolls: These popular festive canapés (mini sausages wrapped in bacon or sausage meat in pastry) are a hit at any party and pair well with mulled wine.
- Roasted Nuts: Simple salt-roasted or honey-roasted nuts make for an easy and satisfying snack.
- Baked Camembert/Brie: A warm, oozing baked cheese topped with cranberries or redcurrant jelly makes for a delicious and festive pairing.
Sweet Treats – These traditional pairings enhance the warm, spiced notes of the wine:
- Mince Pies: A classic British combination, where the sweet and savoury fruit filling, often with a hint of brandy, perfectly mirrors the flavours in the drink.
- Gingerbread: The robust, spicy flavour of gingerbread cookies or cake stands up well to the strong character of mulled wine.
- Christmas Cake/Stollen: Rich fruitcakes or German stollen, packed with dried fruits and marzipan, are excellent accompaniments.
- Dark Chocolate: The richness and slight bitterness of dark chocolate (especially with dried fruit mixed in) complement the sweetness of the wine well.
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