Editor’s note: We’ve changed how we cover supermarket wines to make things easier for you. We’ve brought together the best bottles from every major UK supermarket into one easy-to-use seasonal guide, so you no longer have to search through hundreds of individual recommendation lists. Every major wine category is covered, ie white, rose, white, sparkling etc – with recommendations chosen for what you’ll actually want to drink at those times of year.
- Best UK Supermarket Wines for Spring
- Best UK Supermarket Wines for Summer
- Best UK Supermarket Wines for Autumn
- Best UK Supermarket Wines for Christmas
Mulled wine recipes dominate the internet, but let’s be honest, most of us do not want to be zesting oranges at 9pm – and so enter ready-made mulled wine.
Here at slake we don’t just enjoy mulled wine, we adore it. Our editor has literally written an entire column professing her love for the stuff. So with absolutely no hesitation and only a tiny bit of scorched-tongue regret, we tasted our way through the supermarket shelves, the indies, and the fancy shops too. This is important cultural work, after all.
If it was hot and spiced, it got poured into a mug and judged. Brutally. Fairly. Festively.
Some were Christmas in a bottle. Some tasted like hot Ribena with delusions of grandeur. But a few, the ones below, sparked actual joy. So for your tastebud’s pleasure here are the best mulled wines to buy right; now, tasted, tested and slake-approved.
Best mulled wine to buy: light and citrusy
Celtic Marches, Jacob Marley’s Mulled Wine
Refreshing on the nose and in the mug. A lighter style which could use a touch more spice and a touch less sweetness, but it’s charming. A good day-time mulled wine.
Best mulled wine to buy: dark and rich
Booths Mulled Wine
Dark spice, raisins and Christmas pudding energy, without being cloying. A proper fireside mulled wine, even if your “fireplace” is just a YouTube video.
Best mulled wine to buy: big and boozy
Lindsfarne Mulled Wine
A fortified beast at 13.5 percent, with flavours to match. Dried fruits, baking spice, caramel, a little wood smoke and even a hint of coffee. The one you want when the weather is miserable and you need central heating for the soul.
Best rosé mulled wine to buy
Marks & Spencer Rosé Mulled Wine
Light, charming and oddly elegant. This is mulled wine for people who want the warmth and spice without the weight of a full-bodied red. Bright berry fruit, gentle spice, a whisper of citrus and none of that dense clove overload that can make mulled wines feel like punishment.
Best white mulled wine to buy (technically a syrup)
Fortnum & Mason Mulling Syrup
A clever idea for people who do not always want to commit to a whole bottle. With notes of warming spices, clementine, pear and vanilla – we found that it didn’t quite work with the Côtes du Rhône they recommend, however it was lovely in white wine. Go lighter on the ratio than they suggest, six or seven parts wine to one part syrup hits the sweet spot without tipping into dessert territory. [Note the syrup itself is 0%].
Best alternative mulled wine to buy
Lyme Bay Damson and Elderberry
A mulled wine for people who have an English Heritage membership. Sophisticated and lighter in style than most, with a proper balance of fruit, spice and sweetness. The damson and elderberry give it a kind of woodland depth that makes you feel like you have been for a walk, even if you absolutely have not. A very grown-up twist on the classic.
Best budget mulled wine to buy
Three Mills Spiced Clementine
Our favourite of the entire Three Mills range. The clementine doesn’t necessarily read as clementine, but rather general citrus – which does it’s job either way to wake up the whole wine up and keep it from feeling heavy or syrupy. Festive, fruity and far better balanced than you expect at this price.
Best fancy mulled wine to buy
Selfridges Mulled Wine
This smells like someone threw the whole spice drawer at it and somehow made it chic. There is everything you expect, cinnamon, cloves, citrus, plus vanilla and liquorice. The base wine is actually good (an organic South African red), which is rare in mulled-wine land. Not too sweet, properly balanced, and dangerously easy to go back for a second glass. Luxury but make it cosy.
Best large-format mulled wine for parties
Fraser’s Mulled Wine
Comes in a standard 750 ml bottle, then a 1.5 litre and even a 10 litre box for when you accidentally invite the entire neighbourhood. Built on Tempranillo (yes, the Rioja grape) with organic spices, this is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Pour a round and you will be appointed head of the street WhatsApp almost instantly – thanks to your obviously great judgment.
Best restaurant-style mulled wine to buy
Ottolenghi Mulled Wine
The smallest bottle in the lineup at 500 ml, but do not be fooled. This one punches. Hard. It is intense, concentrated and almost architectural in how the flavours stack, spice, fruit, a little herbal lift, then a tiny bitter snap at the end that makes it feel grown up. It is rich enough that one glass is genuinely satisfying. A mulled wine for the aficionados.
Best non-alcoholic mulled wine to buy
Three Mills Non Alcoholic Mulled Punch
Cinnamon bark and cloves on the nose, gentle spice on the palate. Naturally it cannot replicate the weight or warmth of alcoholic mulled wine, but as a non-alcoholic option it is pleasant and not aggressively sweet. A solid choice for drivers, school-night drinks or anyone taking a night off.
Common questions about ready-made mulled wine
How do you heat mulled wine?
You can warm mulled wine gently on the hob over low heat for a few minutes, or microwave it in 20–30 second bursts. Never boil it – boiling cooks off alcohol and destroys the spice profile.
How long does bottled mulled wine last once opened?
Typically 2–3 days in the fridge. Sweeter styles last slightly longer. If it smells sour or fizzy, it’s gone.
Do you need to refrigerate mulled wine?
Yes, once opened, it needs chilling. Unopened bottled mulled wine can usually be stored at room temperature unless the producer says otherwise.
Does bottled mulled wine contain alcohol?
Most ready made mulled wine sits between 5–14 percent alcohol. Heating reduces the alcohol slightly, but not dramatically.
Can you add more spices or alcohol to shop brought mulled wine?
Yes. Here at slake we like to amp things up with adding in brandy, rum or even port, orange liqueur and more spices.
What is the best way to serve mulled wine?
Warm, never hot and in a heatproof mug. Garnish optional: orange slice and cinnamon stick.