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Two glasses of French vin chaud with orange slices sitting on a counter.
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Traditional French Vin Chaud

How to make traditional French Vin Chaud for the holidays.
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: French
Keyword: Cocktails, Mulled Wine, Vin Chaud
Yield: 6 servings

Materials

  • 1 bottle (750 ml)n Red Wine such as: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Gamay, or Bordeaux
  • 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 Lemon Zest
  • 1 Orange Zest
  • 2 Cinammon Sticks
  • 2 Ginger Slice
  • 2 Star Anise
  • 3 Cloves

Instructions

  • Pour the wine into a large saucepan and add the other ingredients directly.
  • Heat everything until simmering without boiling. Continue cooking at a simmer for 10-15 minutes. Make sure to stir from time to time.
  • Don't let the vin chaud cook longer than 15 minutes. Remove the spices as needed and pour vin chaud into heat-resistant glasses.
  • Add an orange slice and cranberries to each glass as desired.

Notes

  • You can choose any fruity wine to your liking: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Gamay, or even a Bordeaux.
  • You could also make this in a slow cooker as well, follow all the same steps as above just put it into a slow cooker vs. large saucepan. 
  • You can add a splash of Cognac as well if you prefer. 
  • I make mine in my Le Creuset Dutch Oven but any saucepan will do. 
  • The orange slice and cranberries are optional but make the drink look more festive.
  • You also have the option of removing the spices before serving into each glass or leaving the spices in the drink. 
  • Some people choose to use a 1/4 cup white sugar in this recipe vs. the brown sugar. Completely up to you.