Mulled Wine Risotto is a creamy and aromatic dessert-style risotto infused with warm spices and red wine—perfect for cozy winter evenings.
I really like the aroma of mulled wine, especially in the colder months, so I wanted to bring those flavors into something different.
This risotto has all the familiar notes—cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and red wine—combined into a warm, creamy dish. It’s a bit unusual, but it works.
I treat it more like a dessert than a classic risotto. It’s soft, aromatic, and perfect for a quiet winter evening when you want something simple but comforting.
How to choose the best ingredients for risotto alla mulled wine
Dry red wine: Choose a good-quality dry wine—it doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be something you would drink. It gives depth and character
Apple juice: Use natural apple juice if possible. It balances the wine and adds gentle sweetness
Butter: Adds richness and gives the risotto a smooth, velvety finish
Olive oil: Use a small amount at the beginning to sauté the rice—it helps build the base flavor
Cinnamon: Brings warmth and that classic mulled wine aroma
Brown sugar: Adds a deeper, slightly caramel-like sweetness
Gingerbread spice (or spice mix): Use your homemade blend or combine cloves, nutmeg, and allspice for that signature flavor
Top Tip for Success
If you're going to make this recipe, make sure to follow this top tip!
- You can use this recipe with raisins—sultanas work best. They add natural sweetness, so you can reduce the sugar
- If you want a lower-sugar version, add more apple juice and reduce the water. The natural sweetness from apples and spices is often enough
- Cinnamon naturally enhances sweetness, so adding a bit more can help you limit added sugar
- Add raisins at the end so they stay soft and don’t break down too much
- Finish the risotto with a small piece of butter for a smoother texture
- Stir gently and regularly—it helps release starch and keeps the risotto creamy
- Decorate with crushed walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts—they add texture and balance the softness
- Serve warm—the aroma of spices is best right after cooking
Risotto Alla mulled wine
Ingredients
Method
- At the very beginning, peel and grate our apples.
- Pour hot water over the raisins so that they are soaked.
- Fry the rice in olive oil for about 2-4 minutes, when the whole oil will glow from the oil, and the grains will start to turn more white.
- When the rice is ready, pour the red wine and stir it until the wine is in the rice. At this stage, add spices such as cinnamon, gingerbread spice. Then add our apples and raisins and mix them all the time.
- Mix hot water with apple juice and add a little bit (for me, it is about half a spoon) until the mixture is put in the rice.
- Finally, add the butter, mix it and put it aside from the heat for about 10 minutes. We leave our risotto covered.
- The risotto prepared in this way can be served warm, but it will also be a perfect cold dessert.
- Enjoy your meal
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