Non-Alcoholic Mulled Punch
All the spice and warmth of mulled wine, with no alcohol — red grape juice and tea, mulled with orange, cinnamon and clove. Made for sharing.
Ingredients
- 500 ml red grape juice
- 250 ml strong black tea — or hibiscus tea for tartness
- 1 orange — half juiced, half sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 star anise
- 1 tbsp honey or sugar — to taste
Method
- Pour the grape juice, tea and orange juice into a pan and add the cinnamon, cloves and star anise.
- Warm gently until steaming — around 70°C — and hold for 15 minutes to infuse. Keep it below a simmer.
- Taste and sweeten with a little honey or sugar if needed.
- Strain into heatproof glasses and add an orange slice to each.
How to serve
- Glassware
- Heatproof glass or mug
- Serve temperature
- Warm, around 60–65°C
- Garnish
- Orange slice, cinnamon stick
Mulled wine is the scent of the season — but not everyone wants the alcohol, and a party is better when there’s something for everyone. This non-alcoholic mulled punch captures the same deep, spiced warmth using red grape juice cut with tea, so it tastes grown-up and festive rather than like sweetened squash.
Tips
- Cut the sweetness with tea. Grape juice alone is cloying; strong black or hibiscus tea adds the tannin and edge that make it taste like the real thing.
- Don’t boil. Gentle heat infuses the spices while keeping the fruit fresh.
- Strain after infusing. Leaving cloves in for hours turns the punch bitter.
Variations
- Berry mulled punch: add cranberries or a splash of pomegranate juice for tartness.
- Spiked-optional: keep it alcohol-free, or set out a bottle on the side so guests can add their own measure.
It’s the inclusive centrepiece for a winter gathering — pour it alongside its full-strength cousin, glühwein, and everyone’s looked after.
Frequently asked questions
What can I use instead of wine for mulled wine?
Red grape juice is the closest match for colour and fruitiness. Cutting it with strong black or hibiscus tea adds tannin and stops it being too sweet, giving you something much closer to real mulled wine.
How do I keep it warm for a party?
A slow cooker on its lowest setting is ideal — it holds the punch at the right temperature for hours. Strain out the whole spices after infusing so it doesn't turn bitter over a long evening.
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Spiced Apple & Orange Warmer
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Alcohol-Free Hot Toddy
The soothing classic, without the whisky — strong tea with honey, lemon and warm spice. Comfort in a mug for cold nights and scratchy throats.
Glühwein
The classic German mulled wine — red wine gently warmed with orange, cinnamon and clove. The defining drink of the Christmas market.
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