Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine — How to Make It Just as Delicious
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One of the most common questions we get is whether you can make mulled wine without the alcohol — and whether it's actually any good.
The answer to both is yes. Emphatically yes.
Non-alcoholic mulled wine is one of the most naturally alcohol-free-friendly drinks you can make. The spices and warmth do so much of the work that you honestly barely notice the absence of alcohol. Here's everything you need to know.
Why Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Works So Well
With most cocktails and mocktails, the alcohol is a core part of the flavour. Remove it and you're left with something that tastes noticeably incomplete.
Mulled wine is different. The flavour comes overwhelmingly from the spices — cinnamon, cloves, star anise, nutmeg, orange and apple. The wine itself adds body and depth, but it's largely a vehicle for the spice blend.
Which means when you swap the wine for something non-alcoholic, the result is still warming, aromatic and deeply satisfying — as long as you choose the right base.
The Best Base Liquids for Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine
This is the most important decision you'll make. Here are your options, from best to most adventurous:
Dealcoholised Red Wine — the closest to the real thing
A good quality alcohol-removed red wine is the best non-alcoholic base by far. It retains the body, colour and depth of regular wine — meaning the finished drink is virtually indistinguishable from traditional mulled wine.
Look for a fruit-forward, full-bodied dealcoholised Shiraz for the best results. If you're in Brisbane, The Zero Club has two dedicated non-alcoholic bottle shops and ships nationally — a brilliant resource for finding the best dealcoholised wines in Australia.
Grape and Cranberry Juice — the most accessible option
A blend of red grape juice and cranberry juice is the most popular non-alcoholic base — and for good reason. The grape juice provides body and sweetness, the cranberry adds tartness and complexity. Together they produce a rich, deeply coloured mulled drink that's genuinely delicious.
Use a 70/30 split — 70% grape juice to 30% cranberry. Avoid adding sugar until you taste it, as grape juice is naturally quite sweet.
Pure Grape Juice — simple and reliable
A good quality 100% red grape juice works well on its own. Look for a cloudy, unfiltered variety if you can find one — it has more body and flavour than the clear alternatives. Any supermarket brand will do the job perfectly.
Sparkling Apple Juice — our surprise favourite
This is the one that catches people off guard. A good quality sparkling apple juice produces a mulled drink that is indistinguishable from alcoholic Mulled Cider. Light, bright, beautifully spiced and completely family and work friendly.
It's particularly good served cold over ice as a spiced sparkling punch — perfect for Australian or American summer entertaining where a hot drink doesn't always appeal.
How to Make Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine
The method is identical to regular mulled wine — the only difference is what goes in the pot.
What you'll need:
- 750ml of your chosen base liquid
- 1 Mulled Beverages Red Wine Spiced Bag
- Honey, brown sugar or maple syrup to taste
- Fresh orange slices to serve
Method:
- Pour your base liquid into a pot or slow cooker
- Add the spiced bag
- Heat gently over low–medium heat for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Taste and sweeten to your preference
- Ladle into mugs and serve warm with a fresh orange slice
The golden rule: never boil — keep it at a gentle simmer regardless of which base you're using.
That's it. No measuring individual spices, no straining, no mess. Our spiced bags are pre-blended and pre-portioned to work perfectly with non-alcoholic bases just as well as regular wine.
Does Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Taste the Same?
Honestly? Very close — with a slight reduction in body and that characteristic warming sensation that alcohol provides. The spices compensate beautifully — cinnamon and clove in particular provide genuine warmth even without the alcohol.
Most people who try it are genuinely surprised. We've served non-alcoholic versions at our market stalls without telling people and their reactions are consistently surprising and positive.
Who is Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Perfect For?
Almost everyone at some point:
- Designated drivers — enjoy the full mulled wine experience without missing out
- Pregnant women — a warm, spiced drink that's completely safe and genuinely delicious
- Kids — mulled wine has always been a family drink in Europe, the non-alcoholic version makes it accessible to everyone at the table
- Sober curious and non-drinkers — the fastest growing drinking demographic in Australia, and mulled wine is one of the most naturally suited drinks to go alcohol-free
- Anyone entertaining a mixed group — having a non-alcoholic option that's genuinely as good as the alcoholic version means nobody feels like they're missing out
- Summer entertaining — served cold over ice as a spiced punch, the non-alcoholic version is perfect for warm weather gatherings where the alcoholic version might be too heavy
Can You Make It Ahead?
Yes — and it actually improves with time.
Make your non-alcoholic mulled wine, let it cool completely, then refrigerate in a covered container for up to 7-10 days. Reheat gently on the stove when needed. The spices continue to infuse during storage, meaning day two is often better than day one.
It also freezes well — pour cooled mulled wine into a freezer-safe container (leave a couple of inches of space at the top) and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.
Non-Alcoholic Mulled Cider
If you'd prefer a fruit-forward alternative to wine, non-alcoholic mulled cider is even easier — just use a good quality sparkling apple juice or non-alcoholic apple cider as your base. Our Mulled Cider Spiced Bags are blended specifically for cider and work perfectly with non-alcoholic options.
Ready to Try It?
Non-alcoholic mulled wine is one of those drinks that genuinely surprises people. Pick up a bottle of dealcoholised Shiraz from The Zero Club and a Mulled Beverages Red Wine Spiced Bag and you'll have a perfect non-alcoholic mulled wine ready in minutes.
Connect with us on Instagram @mulledbeverages and share your non-alcoholic mulled wine moments 🍷