Mulled Wine Spritzer

Name: Mulled Wine Spritzer
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 bottle red wine; ⅔ cup water ((150ml)); 4 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 cinnamon stick; 4 cloves; 1 orange (quartered); Sprite/7 Up; Ice; raspberries and cranberries (frozen)

Published: Nov 21, 2025 by Kate Hackworthy · 33 Comments

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This easy Mulled Wine Spritzer is a chilled and sparkling twist on classic mulled wine! It combines spiced red wine with citrus, bubbles, and fresh garnishes for a refreshing Christmas cocktail.

A table with champagne glasses of mulled wine spritzer with frozen cranberries and raspberries and a sprig of rosemary.

I love the festive coziness of mulled wine, but sometimes it can be a little intense or you don't want a hot drink.

I started making these Mulled Wine Spritzers a few years ago, and they always go down a storm.

You get that classic Christmas spiced wine flavour, but it's watered down and sweetened up when you serve it over ice with lemon/lime soda like Sprite!

This mulled wine cocktail is also super simple to make.

Just heat up red wine with a quartered orange, a little brown sugar, plus a cinnamon stick and some whole cloves. Simmer it together to get all those lovely flavours (plus your house will smell amazing!), then strain and cool.

You can make it ahead and when you're ready to serve, just pour the cold mulled wine into glasses of ice and top up with Sprite.

For a festive touch, I like to add a sprig of rosemary and some frozen cranberries and raspberries. You might want to drink it with a straw though!

You can make your own mulled wine for this Christmas cocktail (as is in the recipe), but if you're short on time then feel free to 'cheat' by buying premade mulled wine from the supermarket.

Then you simply need to fancy it up!

Looking for more festive drinks? Why not try Mulled Gin Cocktail, Ginger Cranberry Kombucha Mocktail or Glühbier Hot Mulled Beer.

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Why You Should Make This Recipe
Ingredients
How to Make Mulled Wine Spritzer
Variations
Serving Suggestions
Recipe Tips
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

Why You Should Make This Recipe

You can easily double or triple the recipe for larger gatherings.
A mulled wine spritzer offers the flavor of traditional mulled wine in a lighter and more refreshing cocktail form.
The recipe uses simple spices that you may already have at home, so you can prepare it at the last minute.
The spritzer format makes it a great holiday party drink because it stays chilled and feels festive.
You can make the mulled wine base ahead, which reduces stress when hosting.
This drink works well for guests who prefer cold cocktails but still enjoy winter flavors.
The garnishes add visual appeal without needing complicated presentation skills.

Red wine, brown sugar, an orange, cinnamon stick and whole cloves on a table.

Ingredients

Red wine. Choose a medium bodied red with berry notes. A wine that is too tannic may taste harsh once heated, but an affordable table wine works well and handles spices nicely.
Water. A small amount of water helps soften the wine and gives the spices space to infuse.
Brown sugar. This sweetener rounds the flavors and gives the mulled wine a slight caramel richness. You can use white sugar, but brown sugar adds more depth.
Cinnamon stick. Whole cinnamon adds warmth and softness without creating grainy texture.
Cloves. A few cloves bring strong aroma and traditional mulled wine character.
Orange. Quartered orange adds citrus brightness and balances the warm spices.
Sprite or 7 Up. Lemon lime soda adds sparkle, sweetness, and a refreshing lift.
Ice. Helps create the spritzer texture and chills the drink quickly.
Frozen raspberries or cranberries. These berries act as natural ice cubes and add subtle color and fruity notes. Optional.
Rosemary sprigs. Rosemary gives a fresh herbal scent that pairs well with winter spices. Optional but pretty.

How to Make Mulled Wine Spritzer

A saucepan of red wine, next to cut oranges, and a dish of sugar, cinnamon and cloves.

Cut the orange into quarters.

Red wine, quartered orange, cinnamon stick, cloves and brown sugar in a pot.

Add the wine, water, sugar, cinnamon, cloves and orange to a large saucepan and heat but don't allow it to boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Straining the oranges and spices out of the mulled wine over a bowl.

Strain it over a bowl to remove all the 'bits'. Allow to cool.

Champagne coupes with ice, frozen cranberries and frozen raspberries.

Add ice and frozen raspberries and cranberries to a tall glass, then fill halfway with the cooled mulled wine.

The champagne glass half filled with cold mulled wine and topped up with Sprite.

Top up with Sprite/7up and add a sprig of rosemary.

Looking down at a chilled glass of mulled wine spritzer.

Variations

Use white wine for a lighter and more citrus forward spritzer.
Swap orange for lemon if you want a sharper citrus profile.
Add star anise during the simmer for a more pronounced spice aroma.
Replace Sprite with sparkling water or club soda for a less sweet version.
Chill the mulled wine overnight with a cinnamon stick for a stronger spice flavor.
Add a splash of brandy to the cooled mulled wine for a richer cocktail.

Serving Suggestions

Serve in tall glasses for a classic spritzer look.
Offer it as a welcome drink for holiday guests.
Pair with cheese boards that include brie, cheddar, or smoked cheese.
Serve alongside roasted nuts or spiced almonds. Try Rosemary Maple Spiced Roasted Nuts.
Make a pitcher for a holiday brunch gathering.
Serve with winter desserts like gingerbread or spice cake like Parkin Cake.
Offer a non alcoholic version with alcohol free wine or cranberry juice.
Serve at outdoor gatherings when a cold drink feels right - like an Australian Christmas!
Pour into stemless wine glasses with extra berries for a festive touch.
Serve with simple appetizers like olives, crackers, or charcuterie.

Recipe Tips

Heat the wine gently to avoid boiling, which can affect the flavor.
Taste the mulled wine before cooling to adjust sweetness if needed.
Use whole spices instead of ground for a cleaner result.
Cool the mulled wine fully so the ice does not melt too quickly.
Add the soda slowly to keep the spritzer fizzing.
Strain thoroughly to remove all cloves and spices for a smooth drink.

Looking down at a table of mulled wine spritzer cocktails.

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