5 Winter Wine Cocktails & Drink Recipes

The holidays are a time for family, friends, food, and of course, festive drinks! Enjoy the season with these delicious wine-based cocktails that you can make by the glass, with the help of your Coravin Wine Preservation System.

1. Mulled Wine Recipe

First up is a classic mulled wine featuring red wine, orange juice, and brandy. We also have a more traditional German Gluhwein recipe you can find here.

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 4 oz red wine (we like a red blend)

• 4 oz orange juice

• 2 oz brandy

• 2 Tbsp honey

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 pinch of nutmeg

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a small saucepan over low heat.

2. Stir and serve once warm.

2. Cream & Spice Wine Cocktail

Our Cream & Spice wine cocktail will warm you up on a cold winter evening. For the most aesthetically pleasing beverage, you’ll need Irish mugs or other glass mugs for this one.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 8 oz red wine (we like a Syrah)

• 1 oz bourbon

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 4 cinnamon sticks (use for garnish after)

• 10 cardamom pods

• 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

• 10 whole cloves

• 6 whole star anise

• 1 pinch cayenne pepper

• Vanilla whipped cream (recipe from our friend Liren at Kitchen Confidante)

Directions

1. Optional: Place cinnamon sticks, cardamom, fresh ginger, cloves, and star anise in a food processor and pulse 2-3 times. No food processor? Place spices in a bag and lightly crush with a spoon.

2. In a saucepan over low heat, add spices, sugar, and wine. Stir often until sugar is dissolved. Do not boil. Note: The longer you let it simmer on the stove, the more the flavors will soak in.

3. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and bourbon, then stir. Once it’s warm enough for serving, strain into 4 glasses, top with whipped cream, and enjoy!

3. Dose of Autumn wine cocktail

This beverage is perfect as the weather transitions from fall to winter. But, hey, if apple cider flavors are your jam, enjoy this one all winter long – cold or warmed up.

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 4 oz pinot noir

• 1.5 oz amaro

• 2 oz apple cider (or juice)

• 6 drops cinnamon bitters

• Red grapes or red apple slices (for garnish)

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a tall glass or cocktail shaker with ice. Gently stir or shake to chill the beverage.

2. Strain into two glasses and enjoy!

4. Winter Reviver wine cocktail

The garnish on this one – while optional – really helps to up the festive ante. Warm up with this Winter Reviver wine cocktail recipe

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 5 oz Cabernet Sauvignon

• 2 oz rosemary honey syrup*

• 1 oz cherry juice

• ½ lemon

• Rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

• Powdered sugar (for garnish)

Directions

1. Portion the wine, honey syrup, and cherry juice into two glasses. Add a squeeze of lemon juice into each glass.

2. Stir gently, then finish with a large cube of ice in both glasses. Garnish and enjoy!

*Directions for rosemary honey syrup

1. In a saucepan, combine ½ cup of water and 3 rosemary sprigs. Steep over medium heat for 5-7 minutes.

2. Add 1 cup of honey and stir until dissolved and the mixture becomes syrupy. Let cool completely then store in an airtight container in a cool dark place for later use.

5. Helen’s Sangria for Winter

Forget about those refreshing flavors of a summer Sangria and be prepared to cozy up with our seasonal variation called Helen’s Sangria. The fusion of pear nectar, cinnamon, Merlot, and vanilla in this winter wine cocktail will have you feeling warm and fuzzy

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 4 oz Merlot

• 1.5 oz white crème de cacao

• 1 oz cognac

• 4 oz pear nectar

• 1 oz vanilla syrup*

• Pinch of cinnamon

Directions

1. Portion wine, cognac, and crème de cacao into two glasses and set aside.

2. In a separate shaker, add pear nectar,vanilla syrup, and cinnamon. Add ice and shake vigorously.

3. Strain ingredients of shaker into the glasses, garnish with another pinch of cinnamon, and enjoy!

*Directions for vanilla syrup

1. To make this at home, combine 1 cup of water and beans from 1 vanilla bean pod (or 3 drops of vanilla extract) in a saucepan. Steep over medium heat for 5-7 minutes.

2. Add 1 cup of sugar and stir until dissolved.

3. Simmer on low until a syrup forms. Let cool completely then store in an airtight container in a cool dark place for later use.

Share your winter wine cocktail creations with us on Instagram, @Coravin.