The light drops early when you’re winter camping, and that first chill that sneaks under a jacket is your cue to get something warm on the fire. Campsite Spiced Orange Mulled Wine is the kind of slow-simmer drink that turns a ring of camp chairs into a little glowing circle of comfort—steam curling up as the pot gently murmurs beside the coals.
Cooked right over a campfire, the red wine takes on a rounder, softer edge as it warms, while fresh orange brightens everything with a sweet-citrus lift. Toasted spices—think cinnamon, clove, and star anise—open up fast in the heat, filling the campsite with a bakery-like aroma that feels tailor-made for cold hands and wool layers. Keep the heat low and patient; you’re after a lazy simmer, not a boil, so the flavors stay bold and the wine stays smooth.
One of the best parts is how little gear it takes: a small pot or Dutch oven, a ladle, and a couple of sturdy mugs. If you slice the orange at home and pack your spices together in a small bag, it’s a quick, easy cleanup pour that’s ready whenever the night air starts biting.
Campsite Spiced Orange Mulled Wine
Equipment
- Medium pot
- Campfire grate
- Ladle
- Mugs
Ingredients
- 1 bottle dry red wine 750ml
- 1 orange zested and sliced
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 star anise pods
- 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns optional
Instructions
- Place pot over a gentle campfire heat.
- Pour in wine, honey, orange zest, orange slices, and all spices.
- Heat slowly, stirring occasionally, until steaming but not boiling (about 15 minutes).
- Reduce fire heat if necessary to avoid bubbling.
- Ladle into mugs, straining out solids if desired. Garnish with a fresh orange slice.