Out of Star anise, one case
Star anise substitutes for mulled wine
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Anise seeds
Same amount as the star anise
For mulled wine, the best star anise substitutes are anise seeds, fennel seeds, or cloves. Use 1:1 ratio for anise seeds and fennel seeds, or 2-3 whole cloves per star anise.
- Verdict —
- Tweak it
- What changes —
- similar taste, different texture
- Best for —
- mulled wine
One casethe full star anise card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of star anise | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anise seedsmulled wine | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 2 | Fennel seedsmulled wine | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Clovesmulled wine | 2-3 whole cloves per 1 star aniseYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 4 | Cinnamonmulled wine | 1 inch cinnamon stick per 1 star aniseYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 5 | Allspicemulled wine | ½ tsp ground allspice per 1 star aniseTweak it | Tweak it |
| 6 | Licorice rootmulled wine | 1 inch licorice root per 1 star aniseTweak it | Tweak it |
Anise seeds
similar taste, different texture
Similar spice with very similar licorice flavor. Good substitute for star anise in mulled wine.
- Best for
- mulled wine, mulled cider, when you want similar flavor, authentic mulled wine taste
Different form but very similar flavor. Use in equal amounts. Good for when you want the same licorice taste as star anise in mulled wine.
Fennel seeds
different taste, similar texture
Similar spice with licorice-like flavor. Milder than star anise but works well in mulled wine.
- Best for
- mulled wine, mulled cider, when you want milder flavor, gentle mulled wine taste
Milder flavor than star anise but similar licorice taste. Use in equal amounts. Good for when you want a gentler licorice flavor in mulled wine.
Cloves
different taste and texture
Warm, aromatic spice with different but complementary flavor. Good for when you want warmth in mulled wine.
- Best for
- mulled wine, mulled cider, when you want warmth, aromatic mulled wine
Different flavor but adds warmth and complexity. Use 2-3 whole cloves per star anise. Good for adding warmth to mulled wine.
Cinnamon
different taste and texture
Warm spice with sweet flavor. Different from star anise but adds warmth and sweetness to mulled wine.
- Best for
- mulled wine, mulled cider, when you want sweetness, warm mulled wine
Different flavor but adds warmth and sweetness. Use 1 inch cinnamon stick per star anise. Good for adding warmth and sweetness to mulled wine.
Allspice
different taste, similar texture
Warm spice with complex flavor. Different from star anise but adds warmth and complexity to mulled wine.
- Best for
- mulled wine, mulled cider, when you want warmth, complex mulled wine
Different flavor but adds warmth and complexity. Use half the amount. Good for adding warmth and complexity to mulled wine.
Licorice root
similar taste, different texture
Natural licorice flavor. Very similar to star anise but in root form, good for mulled wine.
- Best for
- mulled wine, mulled cider, when you want natural licorice, herbal mulled wine
Very similar flavor to star anise. Use 1 inch of root per star anise. Good for herbal mulled wine with natural licorice flavor.
How it behaves in this recipe
When making mulled wine, star anise serves specific functions that require careful consideration. The recommended substitutes work because they provide similar functionality to star anise in mulled wine applications, whether you're making red mulled wine, white mulled wine, or mulled cider.
Tips for substituting star anise
8 tips- Star anise is essential for authentic mulled wine flavor
- It's commonly used in mulled wine along with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger
- Star anise has a strong, licorice-like flavor that pairs well with other mulled wine spices
- Toast star anise briefly in a dry pan to enhance its flavor before adding to mulled wine
- Remove star anise pods before serving mulled wine as they're not meant to be consumed
- Store star anise in an airtight container away from light and heat
- Grind star anise pods in a spice grinder for ground star anise powder if needed
- Star anise works well in both red and white mulled wine
Notes on star anise
- Cardamom can provide complementary warm spice flavor in mulled wine
- Ginger can add warmth and spice to mulled wine
- Nutmeg can add warmth and complexity to mulled wine
- Orange peel can add citrusy notes to mulled wine
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the best substitute for star anise in mulled wine?
For mulled wine, the best substitutes are anise seeds (for similar flavor), fennel seeds (for milder licorice taste), or cloves (for warmth). Each provides different characteristics depending on your mulled wine preferences.
Can I use anise seeds instead of star anise in mulled wine?
Yes, anise seeds are an excellent substitute for star anise in mulled wine. They have very similar licorice flavor and can be used in the same ratio in mulled wine recipes.
How much fennel seed should I use to replace star anise in mulled wine?
Use equal amounts of fennel seed for star anise in mulled wine (1:1 ratio). However, fennel seed is milder than star anise, so you may want to use a bit more if you want stronger licorice flavor.
Can I use cloves instead of star anise in mulled wine?
Yes, cloves can work as a substitute for star anise in mulled wine. Use 2-3 whole cloves per star anise. They provide different flavor but add warmth and complexity to mulled wine.
Why is star anise so important in mulled wine?
Star anise is important in mulled wine because it adds authentic licorice flavor and is a key ingredient in traditional mulled wine recipes. It provides the good balance of flavor and aroma that makes mulled wine taste authentic.