Few combinations say "holiday season" quite like a steaming mug of mulled wine alongside warm, fragrant spiced cookies. The wine, infused with cinnamon, star anise, and citrus, is the liquid equivalent of a cozy blanket, while the cookies deliver gingerbread-like warmth with every snap.
This recipe includes both components โ perfect for holiday entertaining, Christmas markets at home, or simply treating yourself on a cold winter evening.
Crafting Perfect Mulled Wine
Use a medium-bodied red wine โ Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon work well. Don't use expensive wine (the spices dominate anyway) or very cheap wine (harshness won't be masked). Simmer gently โ never boil, as that burns off the alcohol and creates bitter flavors. Add sugar to taste; some wines need more than others.
The Spiced Cookie
These cookies use a blend of warming spices: ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper (yes, pepper!). The dough should be chilled until firm for clean cutting. They're perfect for decorating โ royal icing adheres beautifully to their smooth, flat surface.
Holiday Hosting Tips
Make mulled wine in a slow cooker for hands-off hosting โ keep on "warm" setting all evening. Pre-bake cookies a week ahead; they actually improve with age as spice flavors deepen. Set up a self-serve station with the slow cooker, mugs, and a cookie platter.
๐ฝ๏ธ Winter Mulled Wine and Spiced Cookies
Ingredients:
- For wine: 1 bottle red wine, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 star anise, 6 cloves, 1 orange sliced, 75g sugar, 100ml brandy optional
- For cookies: 300g flour, 150g brown sugar, 100g butter, 1 egg, 3 tbsp molasses, 2 tsp ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, ยฝ tsp cloves, ยฝ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp baking soda
Instructions:
- Mulled Wine: Combine wine, spices, orange slices, sugar in pot. Simmer gently 20 min (never boil).
- Add brandy if using. Strain into mugs or keep warm in pot.
- Cookies: Cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg and molasses.
- Mix flour, spices, baking soda. Combine with wet ingredients.
- Chill dough 2 hours until firm.
- Roll out, cut into shapes (stars, trees, gingerbread men).
- Bake at 180ยฐC for 10-12 min until edges are firm.
- Cool completely. Decorate with royal icing if desired. Serve alongside mulled wine.
Last updated: December 1, 2025
