Italian Vin Brulé with Orange Zest

In Italy, especially in the North, we love warming our hands around a hot cup of vin brulé.

After skiing or a long walk in the woods, few things feel as comforting as coming home—or stopping somewhere along the way—for a steaming cup of spiced wine.

Cinnamon, cloves, orange zest, and red wine: a winter aroma that warms both body and soul.

Vin brule mix recipe in a jar

What Is Italian Vin Brulé?

Vin brulé is the Italian version of mulled wine.

Red wine is gently heated with winter spices and citrus zest, then sweetened with sugar or honey—or left unsweetened when the wine is already quite sweet.

For my version, I use cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and orange zest. I prefer honey to sugar and use whole spices, which I chop myself before adding them to the wine.

vin brule Italian recipe ingredients

An Orange-Scented Vin Brulé

Orange zest gives this vin brulé a particularly fresh and aromatic quality.

You can prepare the spice mixture when you want to make a single cup, or dry the orange zest in the oven and store everything in an airtight jar for future winter evenings.

A decorated jar of the mixture can also become a simple homemade Christmas gift—especially for someone who understands the importance of always having spiced wine within reach.

What Wine to Use for Vin Brulé

I use Primitivo, a red wine from Puglia, but you can use another dry red wine you enjoy drinking.

Good-quality wine makes a difference. Spices and honey can enrich its flavour, but they cannot completely disguise a wine you did not like in the first place.

How to Use the Vin Brulé Spice Mix

For every 250 ml/8 oz of red wine, use:

  • 1 tablespoon of the spice mixture
  • 1 teaspoon of honey

Gently heat the wine with the spices and honey, strain it, and serve it immediately.

vin brule italian recipe #gourmetproject #christmasrecipes
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Italian vin brulé

Course drink
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Claudia Rinaldi | Gourmet Project

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Grate the oranges zest (avoid the white part, it is so bitter…).

  2. Coarsely chop the cinnamon stick and mix it with the other spices.

  3. Pour 1 spoon of the spice mix, 1/4 of the orange zest, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 250 ml (8 oz) of red wine into a pot.

  4. Bring to a boil.

  5. Strain and enjoy.

Recipe Notes

If you are doing the mix for later use:

  • Preheat the oven to 190°F (90°C).
  • Grate the orange zest (avoid the white part) and place them on a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper). Bake for an hour to dry the zest.
  • Mix it with the spices.
  • Place your mix in a jar and close it tightly.

How to Prepare the Vin Brulé Mix in Advance

Preheat the oven to 90°C/190°F.

Grate the orange zest, avoiding the white pith, and spread it over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake for about one hour, or until the zest is completely dry.

Allow it to cool, then mix it with the chopped cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.

Transfer the mixture to an airtight jar and store it in a cool, dry place.

Have a wonderful cup of steaming, sweet, comforting wine!

Claudia