Ultra cozy and loaded with warming spices, this keto mulled wine is pure holiday cheer in a glass—Christmas spirit, served warm.
Keto Mulled Wine 🍷
A totally refined sugar free delight
Whether you call it glühwein, gløgg, vin chaud, or simply mulled wine, one thing is certain: if Christmas had a signature drink, this would be it.
This recipe is a favorite because it brings back memories of European Christmas markets and time spent with friends who made the season extra festive. There are many ways to prepare mulled wine, so feel free to tweak the spice balance or add extras like cranberries if you prefer (you may want more sweetener in that case).
No matter how you make it, this warm spiced wine will lift your holiday spirits.
Is wine keto?
Red wine isn’t zero-carb like hard spirits, but a glass typically averages around 5 g net carbs, so it can fit into a keto plan in moderation. Avoid drinking an entire bottle at once and skip extremely dry wines—choosing a wine with a touch of fruitiness is better for mulled wine.
Merlot or Malbec are popular choices for this recipe because they bring pleasant fruit notes without being overly sweet. If you’re unsure, ask at your local wine shop for a medium-bodied red with some fruit character.
One VIP tip
If your mulled wine tastes bitter, the culprit is often the white pith of the orange peel rather than the spices. Instead of quartering and boiling an orange, peel the rind in thin strips with a peeler or paring knife, taking care to avoid the bitter white pith. The rind contains the essential oils that give bright orange flavor without bitterness.
I like to squeeze the orange itself into the pot as a natural sweetener, which keeps the drink refined sugar free, though it does add carbs. If you want to avoid adding any refined sugars, using the orange juice alone works well; just be aware of the extra carbs it contributes.
For a keto-friendly sweetener, use allulose or another low-carb sweetener of choice (avoid relying solely on pure monk fruit or stevia for bulk). For a paleo option, honey or maple syrup are good choices—honey adds rich flavor, while maple syrup works nicely too.
Looking for more cozy keto drinks? Try my keto eggnog or a warming hot toddy for other holiday favorites.
(Refined Sugar Free!) Keto Mulled Wine
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large oranges
- 1 bottle red wine such as merlot
- 1/4-1/2 cup allulose or sweetener of choice to taste*
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 cloves
- 2 star anise
- 3 cardamom pods lightly crushed (optional)
- 1 cup brandy
Instructions
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Slice one orange and reserve for garnish. Using a peeler or paring knife, remove the rind from the second orange in strips, avoiding the white pith to prevent bitterness.
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Add the wine, orange rind, spices and sweetener to a non-reactive pot (a Dutch oven works well). I find 1/4 cup of sweetener is plenty, though traditional recipes use about 1/2 cup. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes to infuse the flavors.
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Add the brandy at the end so the alcohol remains. Ladle into heatproof mugs or glasses and garnish with the reserved orange slice and a cinnamon stick if desired.
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Turn on some holiday music, get cozy by the tree, and enjoy the warm, spiced vibes.
Notes
If you’re following keto, use a low-carb sweetener such as allulose or another preferred keto-friendly sweetener. If you follow paleo, honey or maple syrup work well—honey gives the best flavor in my experience.
Estimating exact carbs is difficult because wines vary widely in sweetness and the infusion process changes counts slightly. For a practical estimate I used an average red wine carb count of about 5 g per serving.
Nutrition