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The best mulled wine to buy for Christmas
Because is it even Christmas without a glass or two?
Tested by Callum BlackFood and Drink Testing Manager
While many will have a tried and tested mulled wine recipe they rustle up every year, for others, a pre-made bottle will save lots of time (leaving you to get on with the fun stuff!)
So, the Good Housekeeping Institute got its expert team on the case, sampling the best mulled wines for 2024. We're talking bottles filled with festive spices – think cinnamon, clove, ginger and nutmeg — on top of a fruity, red wine base.
Our panel was looking for examples packed with flavour and ready to pour. We’ve also included a non-alcoholic alternative on our list for those not drinking.
Best mulled wine for Christmas 2024
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Expert tip: Although these bottles have taken most of the hard work out of the equation, it’s still important not to boil your wine when heating. A gentle simmer is the aim – that way, you’ll retain the festive aroma and won’t burn off the alcohol.
How we test mulled wine
Our expert panel — made up of WSET-accredited experts and consumers — sipped their way through 29 bottles of ready-made mulled wine. Each bottle was blinded to avoid brand bias and prepared as per the brand’s instructions. Each wine was judged on its complexity and balance of flavour, aroma and finish.
These are the best bottles to buy for 2024, from just £3.99... (roaring fireplace, optional).
Score: 89/100
Selfridges’ own-brand mulled wine is made in Cornwall, with a simple, yet spicy recipe, clocking in at a decent 9% ABV. The festive favourite uses a quality red wine as the base, before infusing it with allspice, cloves and cinnamon for a natural tasting serve.
Our panel described it as “smooth, easy drinking and delightful” — high praise indeed!
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 9% |
Score: 84/100
Our well-priced runner-up is full of cinnamon, cranberry, bright orange and lemon notes. Zingy ginger and clove follow on the palate, making this ideal for those that like a spicy mulled wine. It’s also pretty low in alcohol, at just 5.5% ABV.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 5.5% |
Score: 83/100
ASDA’s traditional mulled wine recipe is heavy on the cloves, with notes of dark fruit such as blackcurrant, plum and cherry. It was described as having a “mature” flavour profile, with a deliciously velvety mouthfeel.
Available: TBC
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11% |
Score: 83/100
With gentle notes of nutmeg, vanilla and chocolate, this bottle took the top spot last year, but still proved popular with our 2024 panel. Smelling suitably festive, this wine is beautifully balanced and oh-so-easy to drink. However, a word of warning — it sold out quickly last season, so it’s worth stocking up on if you get the chance!
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 9% |
Score: 81/100
With bags of flavour, this tempranillo blend is a big hitter — and is the perfect tipple to enjoy alongside a slice of Christmas cake. Full-bodied and bursting with clove, nutmeg and cinnamon, there’s also a burst of candied orange peel for balance.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11% |
Score: 81/100
Fruity and spicy with notes of oak, tobacco and leather, Riverford’s bottle of wine is a seriously grown-up serve for when 1 December comes round (or before, no judgement). Less sweet than some, it’s warming and delicious, and also happens to be organic to boot.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 8% |
Score: 79/100
We think this sleek white bottle from Harvey Nichols would make a great gift. It’s made with quality German red wine (expect hints of strawberry, vanilla and cocoa), and is blended with cooking spices for a rich, warming experience.
Key specifications
| Volume | 70cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 10.5% |
Score: 78/100
Made on the tiny tidal island of Lindisfarne (or Holy Island as it’s also known), we can thank the monks that used to live there for this festive recipe.
It starts with a hardy red wine base, full of bitter tannins, and layers sweet lemon, ginger, cinnamon and black pepper on top. A unique entry, and not one you’ll forget in a hurry!
Key specifications
| Volume | 70cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 13.5% |
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference White Mulled Wine
Score: 78/100
Looking for something a little different this year? Allow us to introduce you to this brand new white mulled wine from Sainsbury’s. With its beautiful floral nose, vibrant citrus and sweet spice, we think you’ll love this if you’re a fan of white vermouth.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 9% |
Score: 72/100
Who says wine is the only beverage worth mulling? Morrisons doesn’t think so, taking a sweet, syrupy amaretto and lightly layering it with cinnamon. As velvety smooth as a puppy’s ear, some felt it had a biscotti flavour, and we recommend adding a generous glug to your next hot chocolate.
Key specifications
| Volume | 70cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 10% |
Score: 72/100
It makes sense that German retailer Lidl would produce a great Gluewein! Testers described the tipple as being sweet and fruity, with a hint of spice. It reminded others of a good quality port, with just a touch of vanilla, and bracing acidity.
A great all-rounder, it comes in a generous 1L bottle for larger gatherings.
Key specifications
| Volume | 1L |
|---|---|
| ABV | 8.5% |
Score: 72/100
This traditional mulled wine from Sainsbury’s has all the juicy red fruit — think currants and cherries — with just a touch of star anise, vanilla and a honeyed sweetness. With its rich, rounded mouthfeel, it’s a simple but delicious option for those who prefer a less-is-more approach to spice.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11% |
Score: 72/100
Belvoir’s alcohol-free range is a godsend for those who aren’t drinking, and this festive punch is best served warm, like mulled wine. It’s made with grape, elderberry, blackberry and orange juice, and flavoured with clove, cinnamon and nutmeg, making it a top replacement for the real deal.
Key specifications
| Volume | 6 x 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 0% |
Score: 70/100
In what can only be described as an ingenious move, Aldi has taken a bottle of red and infused it with the flavours of a super spicy Christmas pud. It’s every bit as sweet as it sounds, with notes of nutmeg and cloves coming to the fore.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 5% |
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.
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