Every summer, I make fresh grape juice from Naramata grapes and tuck a few jars away for winter. When winter arrives, those jars become this cozy, mulled-style hot drink that is delicious!

Welcome back to Oceans Bliss Portal!

This version is floral, warming, and tangy, born from living in a wine region here in Naramata, BC. And while I love a classic hot apple cider, this takes things in a different direction… an off-the-beaten-path take on a non-alcoholic mulled wine.

Base Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
– 3 cups fresh homemade grape juice
White grapes → lighter, floral, honeyed
Purple grapes → deeper, berry-rich, grounding
(or use organic 100% grape juice with no added sugar)
– 1 small cinnamon stick
– 4–5 whole cloves
– 1–2 teaspoons raw apple cider vinegar

Optional:
– 1 thin slice fresh ginger
– 1 strip lemon peel (especially lovely with white grapes)
– 1 strip orange peel (pairs better with purple grapes)

Method:
Add grape juice, cinnamon, cloves, and any optional ingredients to a small pot.
Warm slowly over low heat—never boil. Let steep for 10–15 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in apple cider vinegar at the end.
Strain and serve warm in mugs.

Choosing Your Grape Path
🤍 White Grape Version
Light, aromatic, slightly herbal
Feels more like a winter tea or tonic than cider
Best with:
Lemon peel
Ginger
A smaller amount of clove (3–4)

💜 Purple Grape Version
Rich, cozy, almost mulled-wine-adjacent
Best with:
Orange peel
Full clove amount
A touch more vinegar for balance

If You Don’t Have Fresh Grape Juice:
Use organic, 100% grape juice, white or purple –  no sugar added
If overly sweet, dilute with ¼–½ cup water
The apple cider vinegar is key—it brings brightness and makes it feel intentional, not sugary

Enjoy! Share it with a friend who loves mulled wine or hot apple cider and would enjoy this non-alcoholic version. Save it for later and enjoy over winter break!