This slow cooker mulled wine is the ultimate holiday cocktail. Red wine is heated with warming spices like cloves, cinnamon, and star anise to create a comforting Christmas drink that is perfect for a crowd!
Whenever the holidays are around, we serve this slow cooker mulled wine at our parties next to some delicious appetizers like baked brie, cream cheese stuffed mushrooms, and bacon wrapped brussels sprouts!
What Is Mulled Wine?
Traditional mulled wine, or spiced wine, is made by heating red wine with mulling spices like cinnamon, star anise, and cloves.
Mulled wine is served hot, but it is not boiled so the alcohol doesn’t evaporate.
Mulled wine is usually served around Christmas time or the cold winter months!
The Best Wine For Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is spiced, sweet, and so delicious. The honey helps avoid any bitterness from the spices, and sweeten the Christmas classic beverage.
For mulled wine, you want to go with a red wine on the dry side. I like to select a malbec, pinot noir, or cabernet sauvignon.
For mulled wine, flavor will be enhanced, so you don’t need to get an expensive bottle. Something in the $10-$15 range is more than enough for a delicious warm cup of mulled wine!
How To Make Mulled Wine
To make mulled wine:
- Set the slow cooker to low.
- Add all ingredients, and stir.
- Heat for an hour or until fully hot and steeped.
If you use frozen cranberries, you may need closer to 2 hours. My 5 quart CrockPot can make mulled wine in an hour, but my 3 quart takes closer to 2 hours.
Tips For Making Mulled Wine
- For mulled white wine, substitute the red for a dry white wine like pinot grigio.
- Low and slow is the name of the game, don’t turn the slow cooker to high heat. You will risk burning off the alcohol in the mulled wine!
- Don’t use ground spices, make sure you use whole ingredients. If you use powdered, the wine will get a grainy texture that isn’t pleasant.
- Remember to garnish the glasses with all the delicious spices when you serve up. I like to add fresh spices that haven’t steeped in the slow cooker yet so they look more presentable.
- If you prefer, you can place the spices in cheesecloth wrapped with cooking twine and remove them before serving.
- Brandy will make it a tad stronger, but adds some delicious flavor. Add it sparingly!
- If you find the mulled wine quite strong, add some extra honey to mellow the spices out. It will strengthen in flavor the longer it sits.
- Star anise is found in the spice aisle. If you have trouble finding it there, check in the Asian food aisle, as well as bulk.
More Delicious Cocktails
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
Ingredients
- 2 bottles red wine
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- orange peels of 1 orange
- 1 cup cranberries fresh or frozen
- 8 star anise
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
Instructions
- Turn slow cooker to low heat.
- Add all ingredients, and stir to combine.
- Heat for 1 hour or until hot. If cranberries are frozen, it may take longer.
- Once wine is mulled, serve garnished with spices and fruit.
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