Heart-Healthy Holiday Mulled Wine Recipe

Thursday, 18 December 2025 Written by Nick Polizzi Views: 8740

Wine culture is so old that historians have found evidence of its consumption dating back over 8,000 years.

Ancient jars containing fermented grape and rice residue have been unearthed in Greece, Egypt, Israel, Iran, and eastward all the way to China.

This versatile drink was, and still is, used for ceremonies, celebrations, and other religious rites—most likely because its complex flavors and deep symbolism set it apart from other beverages, especially fermented ones.

An Ancient Medicinal Tradition

This recipe, also known as glühwein or glögg, is an ancient European drink jammed with medicinal herbs that amplify the healing effects of wine while also cooking out some of the alcohol.

The citrus acts as a digestive bitter, while cardamom helps reduce inflammation. Cinnamon serves as both an aphrodisiac and relaxant. Cloves are a natural painkiller and help fight bacterial and viral infections, while star anise has been found to be as effective against certain bacteria as antibiotics.

This recipe is easy to tweak to suit your personal preferences.

Ingredients

• 1 bottle full-bodied red wine (merlot, malbec, or cabernet sauvignon)
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
• 1 small handful cinnamon sticks
• 4 to 6 whole cloves
• 1 to 2 star anise
• 2 to 3 cardamom pods
• Optional sweetener: maple syrup or honey, to taste
• Optional liqueur: brandy or spiced rum, to taste
• Orange peel, for garnish
• Extra cinnamon sticks, for garnish

Preparation

1. Add all the ingredients to a large pot on the stove.
2. Warm on the lowest setting for at least one hour.
3. Strain out the spices and fruit. Add the optional ingredients, if using.
4. Serve warm, garnished with an orange peel and a cinnamon stick.

Note: If you wish to make this recipe alcohol-free, substitute the wine with half grape juice and half cranberry juice. Low-sugar varieties work best.

Enjoy.

Stay curious,

Nick Polizzi
Host of Remedy: Ancient Medicine for Modern Illness
& Founder of The Sacred Science

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