Cozy & Gut-Friendly: The Ultimate Spiced Mulled Wine with Kombucha Recipe

Experience the comforting embrace of easy spiced mulled wine, crafted with a rich bottle of red, aromatic whole spices, fresh orange, and a unique splash of probiotic-rich kombucha, all naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup.

For years, my love affair with red wine was strictly a chilled or room-temperature affair. The idea of warming my vino seemed almost sacrilegious to my palate. But as the chill of winter truly set in this year, I decided it was time to explore new traditions, and what a delightful discovery it has been!

Just last night, I found myself enveloped in a truly magical evening, sipping on the most incredible mulled wine from large, comforting mugs. The air was filled with the soulful sounds of Indie music playing softly from my Alexa, creating an ambiance that was both nostalgic and utterly new. My partner, M, commented that this fragrant beverage instantly transported him back to his winters growing up in Germany, where mulled wine, or Glühwein, is a cherished part of the festive season. I often find myself picturing him there, surrounded by laughter and warmth, in a cozy German kitchen on a continent I’ve yet to explore. For now, it’s just my own wonderfully messy kitchen and the rich stories he shares that paint those vivid pictures.

Holding those big blue mugs, I couldn’t help but chuckle. There was a whimsical, almost mischievous feeling, like a teenager secretly spiking their fruit punch. It felt wonderfully peculiar to sip on an alcoholic drink with the same comforting cadence as a cup of coffee or tea. The robust tannins danced on my tongue, followed by a delightful bite of sweet acidity, culminating in a gentle, glowing warmth spreading through my belly. Yes, mulled wine, particularly this version, truly makes me smile – and that’s precisely how I want to wrap up the year and usher in new beginnings.

And I truly want you to experience this joy with me. This isn’t just any mulled wine recipe; it’s a uniquely crafted Mulled Wine with Kombucha, a delightful concoction that brings together the robust flavors of dry red wine, an aromatic blend of whole spices, bright citrus, a surprising splash of gut-friendly kombucha, and the natural sweetness of maple syrup. Let’s gather our ingredients and make a generous batch to bid farewell to the past and welcome the future with wide grins and warm hearts!

Crafting Your Perfect Mulled Wine with Kombucha: Simplicity Meets Flavor

If you’re new to the world of homemade mulled wine, let me assure you, it’s far simpler than you might imagine. Forget complicated techniques or extensive prep; this recipe is designed for ease and maximum enjoyment. The beauty lies in its straightforward approach, allowing even novice home bartenders to create a professional-tasting beverage. It’s truly an ideal “dump and simmer” recipe that yields incredible results every time.

Essential Ingredients for a Festive Brew

Here’s a breakdown of the few, but mighty, ingredients you’ll need to create this comforting spiced red wine:

Dry Red Wine: The foundation of our mulled wine. Opt for an affordable, fruity dry red. Think Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Zinfandel. We’ll discuss why quality isn’t the primary concern here shortly.
Fresh Orange: Sliced into elegant rounds, the orange not only adds a burst of citrusy aroma and flavor but also a beautiful visual element. It’s a classic pairing with mulled wine spices.
Cinnamon Sticks: Whole cinnamon sticks infuse the wine with their warm, sweet, and woody notes, without overpowering the other flavors. They’re essential for that classic mulled wine fragrance.
Star Anise: These beautiful, star-shaped pods contribute a distinct licorice-like flavor, adding an exotic and sophisticated layer to the spice profile. They’re also wonderfully decorative.
Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice. Maple syrup offers a rich, nuanced sweetness that complements the spices and wine beautifully, avoiding the cloying taste of refined sugars.
Harvest Spice Mad Magic Kombucha: This is our secret ingredient! A splash of this spiced kombucha introduces a delightful tang, a boost of probiotics, and an extra layer of autumn-winter spice that truly elevates the mulled wine.
Optional Garnishes: Enhance the presentation and flavor with additional orange slices, extra cinnamon sticks, or more star anise when serving.

That’s truly all it takes to gather the core elements for this fantastic seasonal beverage!

The Simple Method to Mulled Wine Perfection

The preparation for this mulled wine is refreshingly straightforward, making it perfect for a last-minute gathering or a spontaneous cozy night in. You literally combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and let the magic happen. Here’s a deeper dive into the method:

Combine Everything: Pour the bottle of red wine into a large saucepan. Add the sliced orange rounds, cinnamon sticks, star anise, maple syrup, and the special Harvest Spice Mad Magic Kombucha. Give it a gentle stir to ensure all the flavors start to meld together.
Gentle Simmering is Key: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Your goal is to bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, just until you see steam rising and tiny bubbles beginning to form around the edges. It’s crucial to *avoid letting it come to a rolling boil*. Boiling will cause the alcohol to evaporate too quickly, diminishing the very essence of the wine. Once it reaches that perfect simmering point, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it infuse. A minimum of 15 minutes is good, but for deeper flavor development, you can let it simmer for up to 3 hours, keeping an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t boil.
Taste and Adjust Sweetness: Start with the recommended amount of maple syrup (2 tablespoons in the recipe card is a good baseline). After the initial simmer, taste the mulled wine. Everyone’s preference for sweetness varies, so this is your chance to customize. I found that adding an extra 2 tablespoons, for a total of 1/4 cup, achieved my ideal level of sweetness. Adjust incrementally until it perfectly suits your palate.
Choosing Your Red Wine Wisely: When it comes to the red wine, don’t reach for your most expensive bottle! Save those prized vintages for enjoying neat. A more generic, dry table red wine works wonderfully here because its flavors will be transformed by the spices and other ingredients. A robust Cabernet Sauvignon, a smooth Merlot, or even a spicy Zinfandel would be excellent, affordable choices. I personally used an older bottle of Cab I had on hand, and it performed beautifully.
Strain Before Serving: To ensure a smooth, pleasant drinking experience, I highly recommend running the hot mulled wine through a fine-mesh strainer before pouring it into mugs. This will catch any stray orange pulp, loose spice bits, or star anise pieces, leaving you with a clean, inviting beverage.
Serving Temperature: Serve your Mulled Wine with Kombucha while it’s wonderfully warm and steaming, but not scalding hot. The goal is comfort, not a burnt tongue!

The Unique Kombucha Advantage: A Gut-Friendly Twist

If you’re already a fan of mulled wine, I’m confident you’ve never experienced it quite like this before – with the exciting addition of kombucha! This isn’t just a random ingredient; it’s a carefully chosen element that brings a fresh, dynamic dimension to the classic recipe. I specifically incorporated Harvest Spice Mad Magic Kombucha into this cozy spiced wine for a dual benefit: a welcome splash of probiotics and an extra layer of warm, comforting harvest spices. This addition makes the drink not only delicious but also a little gut-friendly, a welcome bonus during the indulgence of the holiday season.

My preference for Mad Magic Kombucha stems from their commitment to quality and purity. Their kombucha is meticulously hand-crafted and bottled, free from any artificial ingredients, added sugars beyond the fermentation process, extra juice, or synthetic extracts. This dedication to natural ingredients shines through in their flavors. For instance, the Harvest Spice blend, which is perfect for this recipe, boasts a clean ingredient list: Organic Kombucha (Water, Organic Raw Non-GMO Cane Sugar, Organic Kombucha Culture, Organic Tea), Organic Nutmeg, Organic Clove, and Organic Cinnamon Sticks. It’s that simple and pure!

This sweetly spiced kombucha, brewed with organic nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon, is the ideal choice. It delivers the perfect slightly sweet and acidic kick, creating a vibrant contrast to the rich red wine and making this mulled wine truly “pop.” The subtle effervescence of kombucha also adds a layer of complexity to the texture, enhancing the overall drinking experience. I suggest starting with 2 tablespoons of kombucha, tasting the mixture, and then adding more as desired to find your perfect balance of tangy spice and sweetness.

Serving Suggestions, Variations, and Storage Tips

Embrace the warmth and unique flavor of this Mulled Wine with Kombucha as your go-to cozy winter wind-down beverage. It’s perfect for unwinding after a long day, a festive treat for holiday gatherings, or simply a comforting sip on a chilly evening. I particularly love to serve mine elegantly garnished with a wedge of wine-soaked orange and a fresh cinnamon stick. These garnishes not only add to the visual appeal but also enhance the aromatic experience with every sip.

Spice It Up (or Down!)

While this recipe features cinnamon and star anise, feel free to personalize your spice blend. Some people adore the intense, pungent flavor of cloves in their mulled wine. You can certainly add them to this recipe if they are to your liking, perhaps studding a few into an orange slice before simmering. However, I personally find cloves to be a bit overwhelming and chose to omit them from my version, preferring the more subtle complexities of cinnamon and star anise. Other fantastic additions to explore include a pinch of ground nutmeg, a few cardamom pods, or even a sliver of fresh ginger for an invigorating kick.

Fruity Variations to Explore

While oranges are a classic choice, don’t hesitate to experiment with different fruits to alter the flavor profile. Instead of oranges, you could try sliced apples, which lend a delightful sweetness and autumnal crispness. Fresh cranberries can add a beautiful tartness and a vibrant red hue, perfect for holiday themes. Lemon slices can brighten the mixture, while a few pear slices could offer a subtle, sophisticated sweetness. The beauty of this recipe is its forgiving nature; it’s truly hard to mess up, so have fun throwing in different flavors to discover what you enjoy best!

Sharing and Storing Your Mulled Wine

Given that this recipe utilizes a full bottle of wine, it’s ideally suited for sharing with loved ones. Gather family and friends around for a festive evening, complete with steaming mugs of your homemade mulled wine. If you’re hosting a larger crowd, easily double or even triple the recipe. Simply adjust the quantities of all ingredients proportionally and use a larger stock pot to accommodate the increased volume. This ensures everyone gets to enjoy a taste of this warming concoction.

Should you find yourself with any delicious leftovers (a rare occurrence, perhaps!), fret not. Mulled wine stores beautifully. Simply transfer any remaining liquid into an airtight container and refrigerate it for 2-3 days. When you’re ready for another cozy sip, gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat until it’s warm through, being careful not to let it boil again to preserve the alcohol content and flavors. Serve it with fresh garnishes, and it’ll taste almost as good as the first batch.

Enjoy every delightful, warm sip!

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Mulled Wine with Kombucha: A Naturally Sweetened, Spiced Winter Drink

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Author: Flora & Vino
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 2-4 servings
Diet: Vegan

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Description

This easy spiced mulled wine recipe elevates the classic winter drink with a unique twist: a splash of probiotic-rich Harvest Spice kombucha, all naturally sweetened with maple syrup. It’s the perfect cozy, gut-friendly beverage made with a bottle of dry red wine, whole cinnamon sticks, star anise, and fresh orange slices. Ideal for festive gatherings or a relaxing evening, it’s simple to make and incredibly comforting.

Ingredients

1 bottle (750ml) of dry red wine (e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel)
1 large orange, thoroughly washed and sliced into rounds
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise pods
2–4 TBSP pure maple syrup (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
1/4 cup Harvest Spice Mad Magic Kombucha (or another spiced kombucha)
optional garnishes: extra fresh orange slices, additional cinnamon sticks, extra star anise, or a few cloves (if desired)

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Instructions

Combine Ingredients: Add the entire bottle of red wine, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, maple syrup (start with 2 tablespoons), and the Harvest Spice kombucha to a large saucepan. Stir gently to combine all the aromatic elements.
Simmer, Don’t Boil: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Allow the mulled wine mixture to heat up until it just reaches a gentle simmer. Look for steam rising and small bubbles forming around the edges. It is crucial to prevent it from coming to a rolling boil, as this will quickly evaporate the alcohol content. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the wine infuse with the spices for at least 15 minutes, or for up to 3 hours for a deeper flavor.
Strain and Adjust Sweetness: Before serving, use a fine-mesh strainer to remove and discard the used orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise pods. Taste the mulled wine. If you prefer it sweeter, stir in additional maple syrup, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired level of sweetness.
Serve Warm and Garnish: Pour the warm mulled wine into your favorite heat-proof mugs. Enhance the experience by garnishing each serving with a fresh orange slice, an extra cinnamon stick, or another star anise pod.
Storage: This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat before serving again, ensuring it doesn’t boil.

Notes

To serve a larger group, simply double or triple the recipe! Use multiple bottles of wine and a sufficiently large stock pot to accommodate the increased volume. You can also experiment with other fruits like sliced apples or cranberries for different flavor profiles.

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Category: Drink, Dessert, Winter, Holiday
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Vegan, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Refined-Sugar-Free, Gut-Friendly

This delightful recipe post is proudly brought to you by Mad Magic Kombucha, the purveyors of fine, hand-crafted kombucha. Rest assured, all opinions, words, and culinary explorations are entirely my own. We extend our sincere gratitude for supporting the wonderful sponsors that keep us hungry for new and exciting flavors!

Beautiful photography provided by Hot Pan Kitchen, capturing the essence of this cozy beverage.