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Vin chaud or French mulled wine is a delicious hot wine drink that is usually sold at French Christmas markets. I made mine with a nonalcoholic wine because I wanted to join in on the fun but you can use your favorite bottle of red wine and a splash of your favorite brandy, some orange, and some spices and call it a day!
Quick Look: French Mulled Wine
- 🍷 What it is: French mulled wine simmered with orange, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, ginger, and vanilla.
- ⭐ Why it works: A gentle, covered simmer infuses all the spices without boiling, and a splash of brandy rounds it out.
- 💛 Why you’ll love it: Christmas market vibes at home, and it works with non-alcoholic red wine too.
- ⚠️ What to watch for: Keep it at a very gentle simmer and never let it boil.
- ❄️ Make ahead: Strain leftovers and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days, then rewarm.
Table of Contents
This Is the Best Vin Chaud Recipe
If you want to jump back into your Paris Christmas vacation, make this hot wine cocktail with the most fragrant spices. This drink will transport you to the most beautiful European holiday places. On a holiday drinks table, it sits so nicely next to my apple cider mimosas and this alcohol-free virgin matcha Moscow mule.
It is especially great during the really cold winter nights. For the non-wine drinkers, I make a pot of Instant Pot apple cider, this creamy white hot chocolate or my date sweetened hot chocolate, and the coffee lovers always ask for a homemade peppermint latte. So if you like warm spices and extra cozy vibes, grab yourself a bottle of wine and some spices, and let’s get going!
Why This Recipe Works
- It’s so warm, cozy, and the most comforting drink ever.
- This is the perfect drink for the holidays or even your New Year’s Eve party!
- It will quickly become one of your favorite Christmas traditions
Key Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this hot drink. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredient measurements.
- Red wine – an inexpensive bottle of wine does the job here, read below what wines would work best.
- Oranges
- Ginger – Using fresh ginger will take your drink to the next level.
- Star anise
- Cinnamon stick
- Cloves
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla bean pod
- Cognac – This will compensate for any alcohol lost (no worries about adding this if you are using the nonalcoholic wine as I did) but if you don’t have any on hand, adding a splash of your favorite brandy will also work. This is to help the alcohol content that might’ve evaporated as well as give it an extra fruity aroma.
How to Make Vin Chaud
- Simmer. In a large pot, add the wine, the winter spices, the orange slices, orange juice and sugar. Heat on low, then cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Strain and serve. Pour the hot wine through a fine-mesh strainer into your favorite mug, then decorate with a dried orange slice, a cinnamon stick, fresh cranberries and even a star anise for good measure.
Expert Tips
- Pick a soft, fruity red. An inexpensive bottle is perfect here. Merlot, Malbec, or Zinfandel all work beautifully.
- Never let it boil. Keep it at a very gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Boiling cooks off flavor and can turn the spices bitter.
- Stir in the brandy off the heat. Adding it at the end keeps its fruity aroma and makes up for any alcohol lost while simmering.
- Use fresh ginger. A slice of fresh ginger gives a warm, bright kick that ground ginger just can’t match.
- Taste before serving. Sweetness varies a lot between wines, so taste it and stir in another tablespoon or two of sugar if needed.
- Strain it well. A fine-mesh strainer catches the cloves and vanilla bits so every sip is smooth. Then garnish with a dried orange slice, a cinnamon stick, and fresh cranberries!!
Vin Chaud FAQs
Store leftover strained vin chaud in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Rewarm it gently on the stovetop, or pop a mug in the microwave for a minute or so.
Stick with a soft, fruity red wine for vin chaud. An inexpensive bottle around $10 is perfect, and Merlot, Malbec, or Zinfandel all work great.
Yes! I actually made my vin chaud with non-alcoholic red wine so I could join in on the fun. Just skip the brandy, and you’ll still get all the cozy spices and orange flavor.
No. Vin chaud should only ever come to a very gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Boiling cooks off the alcohol and flavor and can make the spices taste bitter.
Enjoy vin chaud as is on a cold winter walk, or serve it at holiday gatherings with a salty snack like cheese, chips, or this baked brie recipe. A tray of Christmas cookies or a slab of Christmas caramel pretzel bark is lovely alongside it too.
More Cozy Holiday Drinks
If you made this vin chaud, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a ⭐ star rating and a comment below. It helps other readers find this cozy holiday drink!
Vin Chaud Recipe (French Mulled Wine)
Ingredients
- 750 ml bottle of red wine I used non alcoholic red wine
- 2 navel oranges
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar Try the wine then add 1-2 more tablespoons of sugar to taste.
- 1 whole clove
- 1/2 vanilla pod sliced and scraped into the pot
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 1 slice ginger 1-inch slice
- nutmeg about a pinch
- 1/4 cup brandy
Instructions
- Slice one orange into thin slices and place them in a large pot. Slice the other one in half and squeeze the juice into the pot as well.2 navel oranges
- Add in the red wine, granulated sugar, vanilla bean pod and beans, and spices. Place the pot over medium-low heat. Bring to a very gentle simmer and stir to dissolve the sugar, don't allow the mixture to boil.750 ml bottle of red wine, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 whole clove, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 star anise, 1 slice ginger, nutmeg, 1/2 vanilla pod
- Cover the pot and keep it over low heat. Allow it to steep for 20 minutes before turning off the heat, stirring in the brandy (if you are making the alcoholic version), and letting it sit for 5 -10 minutes before straining, then serving in your favorite mug with a stick of cinnamon, a dried orange, and some fresh cranberries!1/4 cup brandy
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
