Mulled Wine (Alcohol-Free)
This alcohol-free mulled wine, aka Kinderpunsch in German, is a great alternative to regular mulled wine without compromizing on taste. Made with grape juice, apple juice, warm spices, fresh fruit, and a dash of honey, it’s a comforting choice for holiday parties.
Growing up in Germany we’d enjoy some non-alcoholic mulled wine after a long day sledding or at the Christmas markets. The fruity and spicy drink makes a delicious cozy and comforting holiday drink – not just for kids.
Make a large pot of this hot fruity punch for your holiday party because it will go fast! This non-alcoholic mulled wine, aka glögg or glühwein, is great for serving kids and people who are not drinking alcohol. Serve it alongside hot chocolate, hot apple cider, or your other favorite non-alcoholic drinks. Plus it makes the house smell oh-so festive!
You can learn more about how Germans enjoy the holiday season, aka Weihnachtszeit in German, in my comprehensive Weihnachten guide.
If you loved this Alcohol-Free Mulled Wine Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating below. Thank you!
Alcohol-Free Mulled Wine
Ingredients
- 4 cups red grape juice
- 4 cups apple juice
- 1 lemon zest and juice
- 2 oranges zest and juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 8 cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 cardamom pod
- 1 star anise
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine the grape and apple juice. Add zest of 1 orange and the lemon as well the juice of each of them. Add in the spices and honey, and combine everything well.4 cups red grape juice, 4 cups apple juice, 1 lemon, 2 oranges, 1 tbsp honey, 8 cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 cardamom pod, 1 star anise
- Bring it to a simmer and reduce the heat immediately. The alcohol-free mulled wine does not need to boil.
- Add a small sieve to your mug when pouring the mulled wine into it to strain out any zest and spices.
- Serve it with a thin slice of orange to add extra flavor and color.2 oranges
- Reduce the heat to low to keep any leftover mulled wine hot for second serves.
Notes
Nutrition
Ingredients and substitutions
- Red grape juice – cranberry juice or pomegranate juice work as well
- Apple juice – clear, not cloudy
- Lemon and oranges – zest and juice
- Honey – or brown sugar, maple syrup, agave nectar, or stevia
- Spices – whole cloves, cinnamon stick, cardamom pod, and star anise. Using whole spices is best, so you easily remove them after they’ve spiced the drink. You can use ground spices, however, they will be left in the wine.
My top mulled wine tips
Simmer only: Once this warm beverage reaches a simmer, remove it from the heat. It does not need to boil.
Make-ahead: Make this warm drink up to a day ahead of time. This is a great way to allow the flavor to intensify as it sits in the refrigerator.  Â
Slow cooker: Prepare this drink in a slow cooker or instant pot rather than a pot on the stove.Â
Strain the entire pot to remove the whole spices and orange peel before serving. Otherwise, you can strain each individual glass.
Serving tips: Dip the rim of your glass in water, then lightly dip it in granulated sugar for a festive sugar rim. Serve with fresh orange slices, a cinnamon stick, or rosemary twig for an extra festive flair.
Alcohol-free wine: If you like the flavor of wine but want to keep this drink non-alcoholic, you can substitute the juice for alcohol-free wine.
Other spices: Add nutmeg, ginger, black peppercorns, or more cardamom pods for an even spicier drink. Instantly spice the mulled wine with my chai spice mix or winter spice mix.