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Some of the best Christmas memories happen after the presents have been opened, when the house grows quiet and everyone gathers with a warm drink in hand.
This Midnight Mass Mulled Wine (Non-Alcoholic) is made for those moments.
Rich tart cherry juice and deep pomegranate juice are gently simmered with fresh orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise until your kitchen smells absolutely incredible. The result is a warm, sophisticated non alcoholic Christmas drink with all the cozy flavors of traditional mulled wine—without the alcohol.
Whether you’re serving it after Christmas Eve dinner, during a holiday gathering, or while watching the snow fall outside, this elegant holiday drink is sure to become a new winter tradition. Even better, it’s easy to transform into a cocktail or keep warm in a slow cooker as a festive holiday party punch.
Recipe At a Glance
- Ready in: 35 minutes
- Serves: 6
- Flavor: Rich cherry, pomegranate, citrus, cinnamon, and warming spices
- Difficulty: Easy
- Perfect for: Christmas Eve, holiday parties, winter evenings, cookie exchanges, and New Year’s celebrations
The Cozy Non-Alcoholic Holiday Drink Everyone Will Be Asking For
Some Christmas drinks sparkle.
Others wrap you up like your favorite holiday blanket.
This warm mulled wine alternative slowly simmers with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and fresh orange, filling your home with the unmistakable aroma of Christmas. The combination of tart cherry and pomegranate creates a beautiful ruby color while delivering the deep, layered flavors people love in traditional mulled wine.
It’s elegant enough for holiday entertaining yet simple enough to make on a quiet December evening.
Midnight Mass Mulled Wine Non Alcoholic Recipe
Ingredients for the Mulled Wine
- 4 cups unsweetened tart cherry juice
- 2 cups 100% pomegranate juice
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole star anise
- 8 whole cloves
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Garnishes
Choose one or mix a few together:
- Dehydrated orange wheel
- Whole star anise
- Cinnamon stick
- Fresh rosemary sprig
- Fresh cranberries
- Orange twist
- Candied orange peel
- Apple slice
- Clove-studded orange peel
- Edible gold stars
Favorite combination: A dehydrated orange wheel floating on top with a whole star anise and a cinnamon stick tucked into the mug.
Instructions
- Add the tart cherry juice, pomegranate juice, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, maple syrup (if using), vanilla, and sea salt to a large saucepan.
- Heat over medium-low until steaming, but do not let it boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 20–30 minutes.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness if desired.
- Strain the spices and orange slices.
- Pour into heatproof mugs.
- Garnish and serve warm.
Make It Pinterest-Worthy
Serve this mulled wine in clear Irish coffee mugs or glass mugs so the rich ruby-red color glows in the light. Float a dehydrated orange slice and star anise on top, then add a cinnamon stick for stirring. A few fresh cranberries scattered on the serving tray complete the cozy Christmas look.
Tips for the Best Mulled Wine
- Never boil the juice or it can lose some of its fresh fruit flavor.
- Simmer for at least 20 minutes so the spices fully infuse.
- Taste before adding sweetener since some juices are naturally sweeter than others.
- Make it a day ahead—the flavors become even richer overnight.
- Keep warm in a slow cooker when entertaining.
Easy Ways to Make It Your Own
| Variation | How to Make It |
|---|---|
| Add Cranberry | Replace one cup of tart cherry juice with unsweetened cranberry juice for an extra festive flavor. |
| Apple Spice Version | Swap one cup of cherry juice for fresh apple cider. |
| Vanilla Spice | Add a splash of vanilla bean syrup before serving. |
| Citrus Twist | Include a few slices of blood orange along with the regular orange. |
| Extra Cozy | Serve with a cinnamon stick and a tiny piece of candied orange peel. |
Make Ahead Tips
This recipe is even better the next day.
Simply prepare it as directed, cool completely, and refrigerate for up to four days. Reheat gently over low heat or in a slow cooker before serving.
Turn Your Mulled Wine Into a Holiday Party Punch
Hosting Christmas dinner or a cookie exchange?
Double the recipe and keep it warm in a slow cooker so guests can serve themselves all evening.
Garnishes
- Orange slices
- Fresh cranberries
- Cinnamon sticks
- Star anise
- Rosemary sprigs
Serves: 12–14 guests
Turn It Into a Holiday Cocktail
For guests who would like an alcoholic version, simply add one of the following to each mug:
Classic Mulled Wine
- 2 ounces dry red wine
Bourbon Version
- 1½ ounces bourbon
Brandy Version
- 1½ ounces brandy
Spiced Rum Version
- 1½ ounces dark spiced rum
Estimated Nutrition
Per serving (approximate)
- Calories: 90
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugar: 18g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 20mg
Other Popular Christmas Drink Ideas
- Mistletoe Margarita Mocktail – A bright green citrus favorite with a sparkling sugar rim.
- Sugarplum Fairy Fizz Mocktail – A magical purple holiday drink with edible shimmer.
- Jack Frost Mocktail – A creamy blue coconut and pineapple holiday classic.
- Christmas Morning Sunrise Mocktail – A festive brunch drink with cranberry, orange, and sparkling apple cider.
- Gingerbread Latte Mocktail – A cozy coffeehouse-inspired holiday favorite.
Mulled Wine Non Alcoholic: FAQs
Does this taste like traditional mulled wine?
It has the same warm spices, citrus, and rich fruit flavors that make mulled wine so comforting, while remaining completely alcohol-free.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. Combine all the ingredients and cook on Low for about 2 hours, then switch to Warm for serving.
Can kids enjoy this?
Yes! Since it’s a completely non alcoholic Christmas drink, it’s perfect for the whole family.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes. Freeze for up to three months, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat. I’ve only tried this once before, but when I pulled it out 4 to 6 weeks later, it was great!
Is this a good Christmas party drink?
Definitely. It’s one of my favorite holiday drink recipes because you can make it ahead, keep it warm, and let guests serve themselves throughout the evening.
Picture This…
A pot of rich ruby-red mulled wine gently simmers on the stove as cinnamon, orange, cloves, and star anise fill the house with the scent of Christmas. Steam rises from clear glass mugs garnished with a dehydrated orange wheel and floating star anise, while twinkling tree lights reflect through the deep crimson drink—creating the kind of cozy holiday moment you’ll want to recreate every December.
Please note: This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
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