Festive and full of flavor, this Non-Alcoholic Mulled “Wine” mocktail tastes surprisingly like the real thing. Made with fruit juices and not a drop of wine (or even non-alcoholic wine!), this cozy, warm punch serves a crowd at the holidays and all winter long.
DISCLAIMER
*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning Feast + West may receive commissions for purchases made through those links — at no cost to you. All opinions are our own. Please read our full disclosure for more information.
About this Non-Alcoholic Mulled “Wine” recipe
Every year when I host my annual Christmas craft party, I always offer a non-alcoholic beverage for anyone who doesn’t want a cocktail. Growing up, my family served mulled wine at holiday parties, but I was stumped for a long time when it came to serving a non-alcoholic version of mulled wine. Alcohol-removed wine just wouldn’t do it for me.
That is, until last year, when I dreamed up this virgin sangria made with fruit juices — it really tasted like Then, my sister shared her mother-in-law’s recipe for German Glühwein with me, and mentioned that their local Christmas markets often serve a warm, spiced juice for kids.
I had an aha! moment when I realized I could combine these two concepts for a delicious mulled wine mocktail. I experimented with quite a few combinations, and settled upon this recipe made with four fruit juices. The other key is not adding too much sugar, or you’ll risk it tasting like an overly sweet punch when we’re after that dry red wine flavor.
This recipe may seem like a lot of ingredients, but it honestly makes a lot of sense: In general, red wine boasts layers of fruity notes, so combining a few juices helps to simulate the full-bodied red wine flavor people love. Bonus: With all those juices, you can make a lot more for a lot less than a couple bottles of wine!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It delivers the cozy, spiced depth of classic mulled wine without the alcohol, thanks to a blend of fruit juices that mimics a full-bodied red.
- The recipe scales easily and stays budget friendly, letting you serve a crowd without opening multiple bottles of wine.
- Its warm, festive flavor appeals to everyone — kids, non-drinkers and designated drivers — so every guest can enjoy a thoughtful holiday option.
What is mulled wine?
Mulled wine, also called Glühwein in Germany and Gløgg in Scandinavian countries, is red wine simmered with spices and fruits and is usually served at holiday gatherings. (I wrote this piece about holiday drinks around the world, and I learned while writing it that pretty much every country has a version of mulled wine!)
Some recipes for non-alcoholic mulled “wine” call for using a non-alcoholic or alcohol-removed red wine, but it can also be made by combining fruit juices like we do in this recipe.
Tools & glassware
To make mulled “wine,” you’ll need a few liquid measuring cups for the ingredients. Toss everything into a dutch oven * or a large pot and stir with a mixing spoon. For an easy way to keep it warm during a party, transfer it to a slow cooker on the keep warm setting, then ladle it into heat-proof mugs.
party essentials
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → *
Ingredients
This recipe may seem a little more complex, but it’s really just that instead of buying wine, you’ll want to pick up a few kinds of juice.
👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!
For the juices, I combined pomegranate juice and tart cherry juice for a robust, dry flavor and deep red color. Apple cider (apple juice works too) brings a natural sweetness, and cranberry juice adds berry notes. (Grape juice would work too, of course, but I find it tends to be pretty sweet, so these other flavors did a better job of capturing the wine flavor.)
To sweeten it, I added a little maple syrup, but I’d wait til the end to add more so you can see how the sugars in the juices have melded together. You can use any sweetener you like, such as simple syrup, honey, agave nectar * or white or brown sugar.
Mulled wine isn’t the same without fresh fruit and juices — I use an orange plus whole cloves, cinnamon sticks and diced ginger root. You can also use a scoop of dried mulling spices to save some time. Apples, lemon, pears and berries would all be great, too.
Instructions
Making this alcohol-free mulled “wine” is super simple once you’ve gathered up all the ingredients:
Would you like to save this?
We'll email a link to you, so you can come back to it later! Plus you'll get great new recipes each week!
- In a large stock pot or Dutch oven * over medium heat, add pomegranate juice and tart cherry juice.
- Next, add apple cider, cranberry juice and maple syrup. Stir to combine.
- Add orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks and diced ginger root. Bring to a simmer, then reduce to low heat.
- Cover and let simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until fragrant. Taste and stir in more maple syrup for sweetness, if desired.
- Ladle into heat-proof mugs. Garnish with whole spices and orange slices, if desired.
Tips & tricks
- Warm gently so the juices and spices meld without boiling — high heat can dull the fruit flavor and make the spices taste harsh.
- Use whole spices like cinnamon sticks, ginger root and cloves since they infuse steadily and won’t cloud the drink the way ground spices can.
- Taste before adding extra sugar. Add the maple syrup as called for, then let it simmer. Once the “wine” has steeped for a bit, taste and add more sweetener if desired.
Food pairings
Mulled wine — and this non-alcoholic version — pair beautifully with foods that echo its warm spices and cozy winter vibe. Here are some reliable pairings:
- Savory holiday appetizers: Think baked Brie, a holiday charcuterie board, spiced nuts or sausage balls. The drink’s fruitiness softens salty, rich bites.
- Hearty mains: Roast chicken, glazed ham, beef stews and braised short ribs all play well with the warm spice and subtle sweetness.
- Spiced and fruity desserts: Mulled wine is delicious with all your holiday dessert faves, like gingerbread cookies or German black forest cake.
FAQ
Yes. Once cooled, store it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week. The flavors actually deepen as it rests, but for the brightest fruit notes, it’s best enjoyed within 5 to 7 days.
If you’re serving it from a slow cooker or insulated pot, keep it on the lowest heat setting and enjoy within a few hours. Too-high heat could over-steep the spices and concentrate the sweetness.
Absolutely. Non-alcoholic red wine brings a more traditional tannic structure, so dial back the added sugar and taste as you go. Warm gently with the same spices for a classic mulled flavor without the alcohol.
More holiday mocktail recipes
Leave a comment or tap the ★★★★★ below to leave a rating — it helps others and supports our work. We love hearing how it turned out!
Non-Alcoholic Mulled “Wine”
ingredients
- 2 cups pomegranate juice
- 1 cup tart cherry juice
- 1 cup apple cider
- ½ cup cranberry juice
- ¼ cup maple syrup plus more to taste
- 1 large navel orange sliced
- 10 pieces whole cloves
- 2 pieces cinnamon sticks
- 1 2-inch piece ginger root peeled and diced
instructions
- In a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add pomegranate juice, tart cherry juice, apple cider, cranberry juice and maple syrup. Stir to combine.2 cups pomegranate juice, 1 cup tart cherry juice, 1 cup apple cider, ½ cup cranberry juice, ¼ cup maple syrup
- Add orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks and diced ginger root.1 large navel orange, 2 pieces cinnamon sticks, 1 2-inch piece ginger root, 10 pieces whole cloves
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce to low heat. Cover and let simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
- Taste and stir in more maple syrup for sweetness, if desired.¼ cup maple syrup
- Ladle into heat-proof mugs. Garnish with whole spices and orange slices, if desired.
notes
Save this recipe for later
We’ll email a link to you, so you can come back to it later! Plus you’ll get great new recipes each week!
recommended products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Leave a Reply