An MD's Absolute Favorite Festive (& Healthyish) Mulled Wine Recipe

The holidays are a time to enjoy family traditions and make new memories with your loved ones. And what better way to make a memory stick than by adding a sensorial experience (or two)? Every time I smell, much less taste, the festive blend of anise, cloves, and cinnamon, I'm transported to the holiday season, sipping my favorite mulled wine.

Along with the sentimental value of my family's mulled wine, I also love it for the health properties.

Red wine is rich in polyphenols, namely resveratrol, which has been shown to promote healthy aging by combating oxidative stress1. In other words, the antioxidants in red wine have anti-inflammatory properties that may support longevity—when enjoyed in moderation, of course.*

With this recipe, it's also easy to swap in a nonalcoholic wine, if you prefer.

As for the add-ins, cinnamon and apple cider vinegar both have properties that help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, as do the grapefruit wedges, with their low-glycemic impact. And since most of us are looking to enhance our immune systems this winter, the citrus fruit contains immune-supporting vitamin C, and the manuka honey has antibacterial properties. (Find more tips on supporting your immune strength in the winter, here.)*

This warming cocktail serves as an Ayurvedic winter drink, especially for vata when the air is cooler, dryer, and more arid. Plus, your whole house will smell like a dream when making it!