A warm glass of festive mulled orange brandy garnished with an orange slice, star anise, rosemary, and a cinnamon stick, surrounded by pinecones, candles, and a cozy holiday blanket.

Warm, cozy, and deeply aromatic: this Festive Mulled Orange Brandy is the perfect drink to brighten cold winter evenings. With a lovely balance of citrus, spice, and gentle sweetness, it captures everything we love about the holiday season in a single glass.

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As the nights grow longer, there’s nothing quite like a comforting drink to lift the mood. This festive mulled orange brandy combines the bold warmth of brandy with fresh orange, honey, and holiday spices. It’s simple, elegant, and irresistibly cozy – exactly what you need for Christmas gatherings or quiet evenings by the fire.

Why You’ll Love This Festive Mulled Orange Brandy

Versatile: Delicious as-is, or you can easily adjust the sweetness and strength to your taste.
Warming and aromatic: A rich blend of citrus, honey, and winter spices creates a drink that warms from the inside out.
Beautifully festive: It fills the kitchen with a wonderful holiday aroma that instantly feels like Christmas.
Easy to make: You’ll only need a few ingredients and about ten minutes.

Festive Mulled Orange Brandy: Flavour Profile

This festive mulled orange brandy is rich and fragrant. It tastes like Christmas in a cup – sweet, spicy, and citrusy all at once. The honey smooths out the edges, while the orange and lemon keep it bright. The aroma is pure comfort, and every sip feels cozy and cheerful. Simply put, this cocktail screams festivity.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe

Brandy: The heart of this festive drink. Choose a smooth, mellow brandy that complements the citrus and spices.
Orange liqueur: A splash of Cointreau or Triple Sec enhances the orange flavour and adds a touch of sweetness.
Water: Keeps the drink balanced and prevents it from becoming too strong.
Orange juice and peel: Fresh juice adds brightness, while the peel brings depth and a natural bitter note.
Lemon juice: A little acidity lifts the flavour and keeps it refreshing.
Honey or maple syrup: Either sweetener works beautifully to round out the spices. Honey gives warmth; maple adds a subtle caramel tone.
Cinnamon and star anise: Classic holiday spices that create that unmistakable festive aroma.
Ginger: Adds gentle heat and complexity – use ground ginger or a small piece of fresh root.

Possible Additions and Variations

Make it stronger: Add a little more brandy or orange liqueur for a bolder flavour.
Use other spices: Try cloves, cardamom pods, or allspice for a different twist.
Add fruit: A few cranberries or apple slices look festive and add extra flavour.
Non-alcoholic version: Replace the brandy and liqueur with orange juice, cranberry juice, or spiced tea.

How To Make This Festive Mulled Orange Brandy

It’s really a breeze to make this Festive Mulled Orange Brandy. In a small saucepan, combine the water, orange juice, peel, honey, and spices over medium-high heat. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes to infuse the flavours. Stir in the brandy and orange liqueur and simmer briefly, just 30–40 seconds. Remove from heat, cover, and let it rest for 5–7 minutes to mellow and blend. Taste and adjust the sweetness, alcohol, or juice if needed. Serve warm and enjoy.

More Festive Cocktail Ideas

Are you looking for more holiday drinks just like this Festive Mulled Orange Brandy? Be sure to check more ideas:

I hope you enjoy this Festive Mulled Orange Brandy and will give the recipe a try. If you do, please let me know in the comment section below, send me a message on Instagram, or share your photos using the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.e your photos by adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.

Cheers!