Hot mulled wine is an iconic part of Christmas, evoking images of cozy gatherings and the sweet-spicy aroma of mulling spices filling the air. This keto mulled wine recipe allows you to experience the warmth and festive flavors of a Dickens Christmas without the guilt of added sugars and high carbs. It's a wonderful way to scent your house for a Thanksgiving family gathering, Christmas dinner, or New Years Eve party!
The Problem with Traditional Mulled Wine
The problem is that there’s tons of carbs in hot mulled wine. Unfortunately sugar is usually added as well as fruit juice so the carb count jumps quite a lot.
The Keto-Friendly Solution
This recipe offers a low-carb alternative to traditional mulled wine, using sugar-free substitutes and clever ingredient swaps to minimize carbs without sacrificing flavor.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Wine: Opt for a dry red wine with lower carb content. Merlot, Chianti, or Cabernet Sauvignon are excellent choices.
- Sweetener: Instead of sugar, this recipe uses a sugar-free syrup or a granulated stevia/erythritol blend. Sugar-free water enhancers can also add flavor and sweetness.
- Fruit Juice: Spiced rooibos tea replaces fruit juice, adding depth and warmth without the added sugar. Orange and lemon peelings without the white pith, or a sugar-free orange water enhancer, provide citrus notes.
- Spices: The classic mulling spices-cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom-infuse the wine with a warm, festive aroma. Star anise can also be added for a subtle licorice flavor.
- Liquor: While brandy is often added to regular mulled wine, gin adds a unique herbaceous flavor. Rum or bourbon can also be used.
Keto Mulled Wine Recipe Variations
Classic Keto Mulled Wine
Ingredients:
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- 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine (Merlot, Chianti, or Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons apple cider rooibos tea
- 2 tablespoons sugar-free brown sugar and cinnamon syrup
- 1/8 teaspoon orange tangerine water enhancer
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of cloves
- Pinch of ginger
- Pinch of cardamom
- 1 ounce gin (Citadelle recommended)
Instructions:
- Heat the water to 208F and stir in the loose-leaf tea. Let steep for 6 minutes and strain. Set aside.
- Warm the wine up on the stove until it is just starting to steam but not really simmering.
- Stir in the syrup, spices, and water enhancer.
- Remove from heat and stir in the gin.
- Serve immediately, garnished with a cinnamon stick if desired.
Low-Carb Cranberry Mulled Wine
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon recommended)
- 1 cup whole cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 3 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2-star anise
- Zest from one orange (avoiding the white pith)
- 3 tablespoons granulated stevia/erythritol blend
- ½ cup brandy (optional)
Instructions:
- Place the cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, orange zest, and sweetener in a large saucepan.
- Pour the wine over the spice mixture and add the cranberries. Stir.
- Heat the mixture gently, stirring occasionally, over low heat until it reaches a simmer.
- Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes. Remove spices if desired.
- Stir in the brandy, if using.
Keto White Mulled Wine
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Ingredients:
- 1 bottle (750ml) dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc),
- Orange peel in strips
- Cloves
- Star anise
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Water
- Cardamom pods
- Rosemary sprigs
- Lemon slices
- Erythritol
- Liquid stevia
- Rum
Instructions:
- Peel orange in strips using a vegetable peeler, being careful not to remove any pith (the white part). Push cloves into peel.
- Combine, the star anise, cinnamon, ginger, water, cardamom pods, rosemary sprigs, orange peel, lemon slices, erithrytol and liquid stevia in a pot and bring to a boil for 3 minutes.
- Simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat (If using Instant pot, remove pot liner from unit), and add wine and rum.
- Just before serving, gently reheat mulled wine over medium heat (Or using ‘sauté’ setting if using Instant Pot) until just beginning to simmer. Do not boil! Alternatively, you can heat up individual cups of wine by microwaving on high for around 30-45 seconds.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Keto Mulled Wine
- Combine Ingredients: In a saucepan, combine your chosen wine, sweetener, spices, and any fruit elements (zest, cranberries, etc.).
- Heat Gently: Warm the mixture over low heat, ensuring it doesn't boil. Simmering is key to allowing the flavors to meld without evaporating the alcohol.
- Infuse Flavors: Let the mixture simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the spices to infuse the wine.
- Add Liquor (Optional): Stir in gin, rum, or brandy just before serving for an extra kick.
- Serve Warm: Strain the mulled wine to remove spices and fruit pieces. Serve warm in mugs or heat-proof glasses, garnished with cinnamon sticks, orange slices, or star anise.
Tips for the Perfect Keto Mulled Wine
- Use Whole Spices: For a richer, more complex flavor, use whole spices instead of ground spices, especially if using a slow cooker.
- Avoid Bitterness: When using orange peel, be sure to avoid the white pith, which can impart a bitter taste.
- Sweeten to Taste: Adjust the amount of sweetener to your preference. Remember that some sweeteners are sweeter than others.
- Don't Boil: Boiling the wine will cause the alcohol to evaporate and can create a bitter taste.
- Slow Cooker Option: For a hands-off approach, combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and heat on low for 2-4 hours, or until very hot. Add the liquor just before serving.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Keto mulled wine is a versatile drink that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a variety of foods.
- Cheese: Salty cheeses like blue cheese or cheddar cheese complement the sweetness and spice of mulled wine.
- Savory Dishes: A savory meal, such as a crustless spinach quiche, balances the sweet spiciness of the wine.
- Keto Cookies: Pair mulled wine with keto-friendly cookies, such as low-carb pecan shortbread cookies, for a festive dessert.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Allow leftover mulled wine to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and storing it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the mulled wine in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Reheat in a pot before serving.
- Mulled Wine Slushie: Blend frozen mulled wine until it forms a slushie for a refreshing twist, especially during warmer months.
Is Mulled Wine Keto-Friendly?
Most mulled wine recipes include sugar or fruit juices containing added sugar, making them too high in carbs to be keto-friendly. The great part is you can omit the sugar and end up with a keto-friendly Cranberry Mulled Wine. Cranberries are low-carb, with only 12 grams of carbs per 100-gram serving, making them ideal for keto diets.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information for keto mulled wine will vary depending on the specific ingredients used. However, by using sugar-free sweeteners and low-carb wines, you can significantly reduce the carb count compared to traditional mulled wine recipes.
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