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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Mulled Gin Cocktail

    Published: Oct 20, 2016 · Modified: Apr 2, 2021 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe
    This mulled gin cocktail is full of warming spices, in a cold cocktail. It's easy to make with a spice-infused simple syrup, plus I've made mulled wine ice cubes to give it some extra pizazz.

    This mulled gin cocktail is full of warming spices, in a cold cocktail. It's easy to make with a spice-infused simple syrup, plus I've made mulled wine ice cubes to give it some extra pizazz.

    Two glasses of cocktail with straws.

    This cocktail takes the amazing flavor of mulled wine, but turns them into a cold cocktail!

    An easy mulled wine simple syrup is the basis of the cocktail. Then just add gin and top it up. 

    For extra pizzazz - freeze mulled wine into ice cubes.

    It's decadent, delicious and perfect for the holidays. 

    Winter cocktails

    I love the transition of seasons.

    Even as the leaves fall to the ground and shatter underfoot, there's a sense of newness. We pull our coats from the back of the closet and wrap up against the season's chill.

    Halcyon days of summer are forgotten as we look forward to Halloween, Christmas, New Year.

    But as summer's sun fades in memory, we aren't always ready to thrust ourselves straight into winter woolies, roaring fires and hot chocolate.

    We need time to adjust. And there's no better way to adjust with a season-straddling cocktail.

    Two tall glasses with Mulled Gin Cocktail with Mulled Wine Ice Cubes and metal straws.

    This mulled gin cocktail with mulled wine ice cubes is your gateway to winter.

    Mojitos are too summery, spritzers too light. But we're not quite ready for bubbling vats of mulled wine just yet, are we?

    So let's mull us some gin. Let's bring those warming mulled wine spices and give them a little chill. Let's throw caution to the wind.

    There are no rules, only the rules we make. And my rule is that gin goes with everything (even cake).

    A bottle of spiced Mulled Simple Syrup.

    Mulled Spice Syrup

    I made a mulled spice-infused simple syrup as the flavour base for this cocktail.

    Don't be frightened, it really is simple.

    Clue's in the name, people.

    Just heat water and sugar in a pan with spices and oranges.

    Your kitchen will smell enchantingly festive.

    You may suddenly hum a carol or two.

    You'll embrace the chill in the air and start thinking about Christmas lists.

    Don't fight it.

    As John Snow says, 'Winter is coming'.

    This syrup would make a fantastic Christmas gift, and it will keep for a few months in a cool dry place.

    This recipe makes around 500ml, so double the recipe for gifting.

    Other great edible gifts are my ginger pecan brittle or salted chocolate honeycomb. 

    A vintage white and gold dish piled with mulled wine ice cubes for mulled gin cocktail recipe.

    Mulled Wine Ice Cubes

    Now, the mulled wine ice cubes aren't essential to this cocktail. But you'll have to admit that they make it rather special. I had some leftover mulled wine (I know!! I'm quite surprised myself), so I just froze it in an ice cube tray.

    Instant cocktail glamour. They're the feather boa of the ice cube world.

    Instead of regular ice melting and diluting the drink, these cubes melt into the cocktail bringing their own mulled flavour to the drink and staining it red.

    You start with the mulled gin cocktail and then it changes slowly to a gin/wine hybrid that works beautifully together.

    It's sort of like two cocktails in one.

    I'm good to you like that.

    Freezing Wine

    Freezing leftover wine is a great way to use it up.

    Transfer it from the tray to a bag or jar, then use a few cubes to flavour gravies, soups and stews.

    Perhaps not mulled wine cubes, but actually, they could give a nice spicy flavour to savoury dishes (suddenly I'm inspired to make mulled wine gravy.....).

    A tall glass with mulled wine ice cubes slowly melting into the mulled gin cocktail.
    Veggie Desserts Cookbook by Kate Hackworthy

    Check out the Veggie Desserts + Cakes cookbook on Amazon

    Get the recipe 

    Glasses of cocktail on a wooden table.

    Mulled Gin Cocktail

    Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
    An easy mulled wine simple syrup makes this cocktail truly delicious with warming winter spices. Then, I've added mulled wine ice cubes to make it extra special. Make up a big batch of the mulled wine syrup for edible gifts.
    5 from 12 votes
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Drink
    Cuisine American, British, International
    Servings 15
    Calories 122 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    For the mulled spice syrup

    • 2 ¼ cups (500ml) water
    • 2 cups (400g) caster sugar
    • 2 washed unpeeled satsumas/tangerines/small oranges quartered
    • 4 whole cloves
    • 4 cardamom pods lightly crushed
    • 1 cinnamon stick
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger

    For the cocktail (per cocktail)

    • 1 ½ oz (45ml) gin (or vodka)
    • 1 ½ oz (45ml) mulled spice syrup
    • Soda water or fizzy lemonade/sprite if you like your cocktail sweeter
    • Ice or frozen mulled wine ice cubes (see note)

    Instructions
     

    • For the mulled simple syrup
    • In a medium saucepan, bring all simple syrup ingredients to a boil and gently stir until the sugar dissolves, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
    • Place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl, then pour the simple syrup through the sieve to strain out the ingredients.
    • Pour the syrup into a sterilised jar (see note) allow to cool and store in a cupboard for up to two months.
    • To serve:
    • In a tall glass, add ice cubes (or mulled wine ice cubes), gin, mulled spice syrup and top up with soda water.

    Note:

    • If you have any leftover mulled wine, freeze it in cubes for this cocktail. Alternatively, you can get the same colour-effect by freezing cranberry juice.

    Note:

    • sterilise the jar for the simple syrup by running it through the dishwasher and using hot, or wash well then heat in the oven for a few minutes and allow to cool before removing.

    Note:

    • If you prefer vodka, then use that instead of gin!

    Notes

    • If you have any leftover mulled wine, freeze it in cubes for this cocktail. Alternatively, you can get the same colour-effect by freezing cranberry juice.
    • Sterilise the jar for the simple syrup by running it through the dishwasher and using hot, or wash well then heat in the oven for a few minutes and allow to cool before removing.
    • It's lovely with other spirits. Try vodka, spiced rum, brandy. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 122kcalCarbohydrates: 29gPotassium: 25mgSugar: 28gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 3.2mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.1mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jacqui Bellefontaine

      December 15, 2017 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      I must mist must try this!

      Reply
    2. Niamh

      November 28, 2016 at 9:24 pm

      Now this sounds like a gorgeous festive cocktail. And I am totally with you, gin goes in EVERYTHING! 🙂

      Reply
    3. choclette

      November 25, 2016 at 5:47 pm

      5 stars
      I know so many creative people, but when it comes to food and drink, you are one of the best. Gin and mulled wine? Oh yes. And what a clever effect it has, layering the colours in the glass - it looks stunning.

      Reply
      • Kate Hackworthy

        November 28, 2016 at 9:31 am

        Thank you so much Choclette, that is so lovely of you to say 🙂

        Reply
    4. Elizabeth

      November 01, 2016 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      This is a genius idea! Shetland Reel Gin have just launched a new Christmas gin that is now screaming to be made into these cocktails!

      Reply
    5. Midlands Mum (@Aceso84)

      October 26, 2016 at 5:43 am

      This sounds right up my street, now I know what I will be making my guests at the weekend.

      Reply
    6. Jen

      October 25, 2016 at 9:50 pm

      5 stars
      What an amazing cocktail, adding wine ice cubes is a genius idea and spiced gin is always a winner.

      Reply
    7. Florentina

      October 22, 2016 at 10:00 pm

      5 stars
      I love mulled wine but haven't tried it with ice cubes before! Brilliant as it is always 90 degrees in SoCal!

      Reply
    8. Platter Talk

      October 21, 2016 at 1:25 pm

      5 stars
      We plan on making your recipe over the weekend! What a wonderful sounding drink.

      Reply
    9. Igor @ Cooking The Globe

      October 21, 2016 at 1:06 pm

      5 stars
      So on time! It's Friday and now I know how I'm spending the evening with my wife 🙂

      Reply
    10. Lucy Parissi

      October 21, 2016 at 10:38 am

      5 stars
      I think I love you. This is beyond awesome as a concept and cocktail. And I love the Oxo barware - need to get me some!

      Reply
      • Kate Hackworthy

        October 21, 2016 at 1:28 pm

        Ha, thanks Lucy!

        Reply
    11. HedgeComber

      October 21, 2016 at 9:07 am

      I swear, whenever I think I've found my favourite cocktail (currently a Kir Royale) along comes another one that I just know will blow the last one out of the water!
      Janie x

      Reply
      • Kate Hackworthy

        October 21, 2016 at 1:29 pm

        I'm definitely partial to a nice Kir Royale myself!

        Reply
        • Jane

          December 19, 2017 at 7:47 am

          5 stars
          Kate, these are on our xmas cocktail list - thanks for the awesome recipe!

          Reply
    12. Claudia | Gourmet Project

      October 21, 2016 at 8:41 am

      5 stars
      First: I have your same straws, and lovet hem :-). Second: this cocktail looks and sounds so good. Third: do you have a suggestion to substitute satsumas? Thanks for sharing your wonderful idea 🙂

      Reply
      • Kate Hackworthy

        October 21, 2016 at 1:28 pm

        Hi Claudia, thank you so much! You could use any oranges, or if you don't like oranges, maybe half a lemon would be nice - or leave the oranges out completely. 🙂

        Reply
    13. Heather @Bostongirlbakes

      October 21, 2016 at 12:47 am

      5 stars
      This looks like the perfect happy hour cocktail...you make some and I'll pop over with a dessert 😉 Love your writing too!

      Reply
      • Kate Hackworthy

        October 21, 2016 at 1:29 pm

        SOunds like a perfect trade off!

        Reply
    14. Lucie Aiston

      October 20, 2016 at 10:05 pm

      This sounds yummy!! Not allowed for me at the moment but will search this out after May next year and will enjoy it!!

      Reply
    15. Nayna Kanabar

      October 20, 2016 at 10:02 pm

      What a lovely drink the colour is so beautiful too.

      Reply

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    Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

    Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. I hope you enjoy my vegetarian and vegan recipes. About Me

    Collage of press logos.

    Popular recipes

    • The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
    • Mini Baked Potatoes
    • Easy Lentil Soup

    Healthy Recipes

    • Butternut Squash Salad
    • Easy Healthy Cabbage Soup
    • Easy Vegan Ramen (15 minutes)
    • Rajma Masala (Kidney Bean Curry)

    My cookbook

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    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

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