Mulled wine is a perfect warm cocktail. My apple mulled white wine uses apple juice, apples and cinnamon sticks for a spicy apple twist that is great for autumn and winter.

mulled wine with sliced apples and lemons in glasses

I am admittedly not a day drinker, but I make an exception every now and then. And mulled wine is worthy of that. It’s such a cozy, warming beverage, I don’t even think of it as a cocktail. Although that is what this is. 

I have a traditional mulled wine recipe with oranges that is absolutely delicious. It’s the type that gets served at all the festive December stands in Ljubljana, along with red mulled wine. And I think of that recipe as a true winter cocktail. But this apple mulled white wine is a lighter version more fit for Fall.

About the recipe

Apple mulled wine is still made with white wine. But instead of using orange juice, I use apple juice. Slices of lemon give it a fresh zing, but don’t take away the attention from the apples. As for spices, I only use cloves and cinnamon sticks, which make this version more mellow and more tea-like.

You can make mulled wine with apple cider instead. The flavor will be just as good and I love the idea of making apple cider mulled wine. You can also use brown sugar instead of white sugar, for a more complex flavor.

For apples I like Granny Smith the most because they have that perfect apple candy-like flavor that really shines in a drink like this. They also keep their shape as they cook, making it easy to strain and serve the wine.

This is also a wonderful cocktail for a crowd. You can serve it in a large pot on your holiday table. It tastes best fresh, but you can make it hours ahead and keep it warm on the stove.

How to make mulled wine with apples

This is an easy recipe that is foolproof and easy to scale up. You’ll feel like you’re making stove top potpourri, but you get to drink it in the end. First, combine all ingredients in a medium pot. 

Bring the mix to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until the apples are fork tender. Taste to see if you want more apple juice, lemons or spices. 

Serve apple mulled white wine with fresh slices of apples and lemons. If serving to a crowd, add a glass with sugar sticks to the table. They’re fun and a great way to add more sweetness to a single serving.

How to store

Mulled wine tastes best fresh. Once you make it, you can keep it covered on the stove so it stays warm for a while.

If absolutely needed, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Before storing apple mulled wine, strain it over a fine mesh sieve. Reheat it on the stove over medium heat before serving and add fresh fruit to each mug.

More seasonal drink recipes to explore

mulled wine with apples
apple mulled white wine

Recipe

Apple mulled white wine

An apple twist on traditional mulled wine, this is made with apple juice and apples for the perfect Fall cocktail.
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Rating
5

Ingredients 

For mulled wine
  • 1 bottle white wine
  • 1 cup apple juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 apple halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 organic lemon
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 cloves
To serve
  • 1 apple halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 organic lemon sliced
  • 4 cinnamon sticks

Instructions

  • Combine wine, apple juice, sliced apple, sugar and cinnamon sticks in a large non-reactive pot. Stick cloves into the lemon, then slice the lemon and add to the pot as well.
  • Place on the stove, set over medium-high heat, and slowly bring to a light simmer. Let simmer for about 20 minutes, until the apples are tender. (Taste to see if you want more sugar. If you want the wine to taste less alcoholic, turn up the heat and let the wine boil for a few minutes.)
  • Remove from heat and pour wine into heat-resistant glass mugs. Garnish each drink with fresh cinnamon sticks, apple and lemon slices and serve warm.
    To store, strain leftover mulled wine and keep it in the refrigerator for up to a day. Reheat it slowly on the stove.

Notes

The amount of sugar you need really depends on the apples and juice used. Because I use Granny Smith apples, which aren’t really sweet, I need more sugar. But if your apples are super sweet, you can easily use less. 
The mugs I use are my favorite, from La Rochere.

This recipe was first published on November 17, 2016. It was refreshed and republished on November 9, 2023.

5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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  1. Cheri says:

    5 stars
    Oops – accidentally posted this under the plain mulled white wine, which I haven’t actually tried. We thoroughly enjoyed this apple mulled white wine however! My daughter’s allotment from a local winery included a Chardonnay, which we don’t care for. We do love Glüwein though! So we tried it in this recipe and it was delicious by a roaring fire in the firepit, with s’mores of course!

    1. Alice (author) says:

      Thank you so much, Cheri! So happy to see you guys liked this.
      Also s’mores and fire? dreamy!!