Mulled Beer

Name: Mulled Beer
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: About 5½ cups (6 to 8 servings)
Ingredients: 2 cinnamon sticks, lightly crushed; 8 whole allspice berries; 6 whole cloves; 1 whole star anise pod; 2 (750-milliliter) bottles beer, preferably something not too bitter or hoppy such as a Belgian-style wheat ale (witbier), Hefeweizen or a low-hop amber ale; Peel of 1 orange; 1/3 cup maple syrup; 3 tablespoons/1 1/2 ounces Cognac; 2 tablespoons/1 ounce fresh orange juice

By Rebekah Peppler

Published Dec. 13, 2024

Total Time: 50 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Rating: 4(6)
Comments: Read comments

Flipping the idea of a cold one on its head, mulled beer is served hot and infused with fragrant warming spices — cinnamon, allspice, clove and star anise — with maple syrup for sweetness, Cognac for fortification and orange (in both peel and juice form) for brightness. The resulting drink is festive and warming, ideal for cold weather celebrations. When choosing a beer to mull, reach for something that isn’t too bitter or hoppy, such as a Belgian-style wheat ale (witbier), Hefeweizen or a low-hop amber ale.

Featured in: How to Turn Up the Heat on Your Mulled Cocktails

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Ingredients

Yield:About 5½ cups (6 to 8 servings)

2cinnamon sticks, lightly crushed
8whole allspice berries
6whole cloves
1whole star anise pod
2(750-milliliter) bottles beer, preferably something not too bitter or hoppy such as a Belgian-style wheat ale (witbier), Hefeweizen or a low-hop amber ale
Peel of 1 orange
⅓cup maple syrup
3tablespoons/1½ ounces Cognac
2tablespoons/1 ounce fresh orange juice

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
In a large Dutch oven or pot set over medium-high heat, add the cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves and star anise. Toast, stirring frequently, until the spices are fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Step 2
Slowly add the beer to the pan (it will foam up quite a bit; adding gradually helps). Stir in the orange peel and maple syrup. Bring to a simmer, then adjust the heat to low and continue to very gently simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Strain the mulled beer through a fine mesh sieve, discarding the solids and return to the pan. Stir in the Cognac and orange juice and heat just until warmed through; serve warm.