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Mulled Wine Quantity Calculator
The Mulled Wine Quantity calculator works out how many bottles of red wine plus oranges, cinnamon and sugar you need to serve mulled wine to your guests.
Last updated: June 2026 · Free · No sign-up required
Results
Enter values above and click Calculate to see your result instantly.
Quick reference
| Guests | @2 glasses | Oranges | Cinnamon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3 bottles | 3 | 5 |
| 10 | 4 bottles | 3 | 6 |
| 20 | 8 bottles | 6 | 12 |
| 30 | 12 bottles | 9 | 18 |
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Calculates bottles of red wine plus the spices and fruit to match.
groups Party-ready
Scales cleanly from a small gathering to a big festive party.
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Includes oranges, cinnamon sticks and sugar, not just the wine.
Interpretation guide
| Per bottle (750 ml) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Servings (150 ml glass) | 5 |
| Orange | ~0.7 (sliced) |
| Cinnamon sticks | 1.5 |
| Sugar | ~60 g |
| Optional fortifier | 25 ml brandy/port |
Formula & methodology
Formula: Bottles = ⌈guests × glasses × 150 ml ÷ 750⌉; spices scale per bottle
- Enter guests and glasses per guest (2 is the party norm).
- Total volume at 150 ml per glass is converted to 750 ml bottles, rounded up.
- Oranges, cinnamon and sugar scale at per-bottle ratios.
Worked example: 10 guests × 2 glasses = 20 servings → 4 bottles, with 3 oranges, 6 cinnamon sticks and ~240 g sugar. Heat gently — never boil off the alcohol (or the flavour).
Frequently asked questions
How many glasses of mulled wine per bottle?
Five 150 ml servings per 750 ml bottle. Mulled wine is sipped warm in smaller glasses than table wine, so a bottle stretches further than at dinner.
How much mulled wine per guest?
Plan 2 glasses per guest for a mixed-drinks party, 3 for a mulled-wine-centred evening (markets sell mugs of ~200 ml). The calculator rounds bottles up so you never run dry.
What spices go in and how much?
Per bottle: 1–2 cinnamon sticks, 3 cloves, 1 star anise, 0.5–1 orange in slices, ~60 g sugar. Simmer at 70–75 °C for 20+ minutes; boiling evaporates alcohol and turns spices bitter.
What wine should I buy for mulling?
Inexpensive, fruity, medium-bodied reds — Merlot, Garnacha, Zinfandel. Avoid heavily oaked or tannic bottles; the spices dominate subtle character anyway. Boxed wine works fine at scale.
Can I make it ahead or non-alcoholic?
Make a day ahead, strain the spices, reheat gently. Non-alcoholic: same spice ratios with red grape juice plus a splash of cranberry for acidity — count the same servings per litre.