This Slow Cooker Mulled Wine Will Make You So Cozy (2024)

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Patty Catalano

Patty Catalano

Patty is a recipe developer and food writer. She worked Alton Brown’s Research Coordinator and podcast producer and in the Oxmoor House test kitchen. She loves maple syrup, coffee and board games. Patty lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children.

updated Dec 4, 2023

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This Slow Cooker Mulled Wine Will Make You So Cozy (1)

This holiday party favorite is infused with whole spices and sweetened with maple syrup.

Serves10 to 12

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Every holiday party needs a festive co*cktail, but there’s no need to spend the night mixing drinks to-order. Add a few bottles of red wine, brandy, maple syrup, whole spices, and orange peel to a slow cooker and heat until warm. Guests fill their own mugs and mingle all night long.

What Is Mulled Wine?

Mulled wine is spiced and sweetened wine served warm, often with a shot of hard liquor. In Germany, it is called Gluhwein or “glow-wine” and the shot of liquor is rum or amaretto. In Scandinavia they serve Gløgg, adding blanched almonds, raisins, and port. Spain’s sangria is similar, although served chilled and filled to the brim with cut fruit.

You might remember singing the holiday classic “Here We Come a Wassailing,” but did you know that wassail punch is a Christmas drink? Wassail is made of ale, wine, or hard cider, served hot and sweetened and flavored with spices, ginger, and citrus.

Ingredients Needed for Mulled Wine

A single batch of this recipe makes 10 to 12 co*cktails. The recipe is easily doubled for larger parties or halved for smaller gatherings, just keep the amount of whole spices constant.

  • Red wine: Pick up 2 affordable bottles of red wine from your favorite big box store or local wine shop. Look for bottles described as “jammy” or as having a “fruity, full-bodied flavor.”
  • Brandy: Brandy is a spirit made from fermented fruit or distilled wine. It’s often aged in oak barrels which impart notes of vanilla, maple, and cinnamon into the liquor. Cognac is a type of brandy.
  • Whole spices: Infuse the wine with whole cloves, star anise pods, and cinnamon sticks Ground spices can leave a ring unpleasant grit in the bottom of your mug.
  • Maple syrup: This amber syrup adds robust, earthy sweetness, and dissolves more easily than granular sugars.
  • Orange: Remove the zest from 1/2 orange, and make sure to shave off any bitter white pith with a sharp paring knife.

What Are Mulling Spices?

Mulling spices often includes spices like cinnamon, star anise, clove that add flavor and fragrance to warm drinks like mulled wine and apple cider. While a pot of mulling spices simmering on the back stove during the holidays adds a cozy scent to the home — you do not want to drink a mugful of potpourri.

A pair of cinnamon sticks and star anise pods and a mere four whole cloves will perfume a batch or two of mulled wine. After that, if the party keeps rocking, fish out the spent spices and replenish with new.

How to Make Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

  • Add ingredients to a large slow cooker. Combine wine, brandy, maple syrup, cloves, star anise pods, cinnamon sticks, and orange peel in a slow cooker.
  • Heat on LOW until hot. It will take about an hour for the mulled wine to get hot. Do not set the slow cooker HIGH as this can boil the alcohol away and won’t give the spices time to infuse the wine.
  • Reduce heat to WARM and serve. Mulled wine actually improves as it sits; the flavors mellow and the spices perfume the whole house.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Slow cookers are the perfect serving vessel for winter co*cktail parties. The drink stays at a constant cozy temperature and the only babysitting it needs is an occasional glance to let you know when to refresh the crock with wine, brandy, and maple syrup. Replenish the spices only when they appear saturated and their fragrance dwindles.

Set serving glasses or mugs alongside the slow cooker and be sure to arrange a ladle on a spoon rest. Finish the setup with a few small bowls of garnishes — sliced orange, strips of orange peel, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods. A dark-colored towel or napkin set discretely nearby will ease any worry if spills occur.

Comments

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine Recipe

This holiday party favorite is infused with whole spices and sweetened with maple syrup.

Serves 10 to 12

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1/2

    medium orange

  • 2 (750-milliliter) bottles

    red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon

  • 1/2 cup

    brandy

  • 1/2 cup

    maple syrup

  • 4

    whole cloves

  • 2

    whole star anise pods

  • 2

    (3-inch) cinnamon sticks

  • Optional garnishes: cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, orange peel or slices, cranberries

Equipment

  • Corkscrew

  • Liquid measuring cup

  • 3- to 4-quart slow cooker

  • Vegetable peeler

  • Ladle

  • Knife and cutting board

Instructions

Show Images

  1. Remove orange peel. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from 1/2 medium orange. Use a paring knife to shave off any bitter, white pith.

  2. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Place the orange peel, 2 (750-milliliter) bottles red wine, 1/2 cup brandy, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 4 whole cloves, 2 whole star anise pods, and 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks in a 3-quart or larger slow cooker and stir to combine.

  3. Heat on LOW for 1 hour. Cover and heat on the LOW setting until hot, about 1 hour.

  4. Lower the heat to warm, ladle into mugs, and garnish. Turn the slower cooker to WARM setting for serving if available for serving (otherwise turn off). Ladle into mugs or heatproof glasses and garnish as desired.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Strain leftovers to remove spices, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Half batch: For a smaller batch, combine 1 bottle wine and 1/4 cup each brandy and maple syrup, but keep the same amount of zest and spices.

Filed in:

Beverages

co*cktails

Cooking Methods

Dairy-Free

easy

Gluten-Free

This Slow Cooker Mulled Wine Will Make You So Cozy (2024)

FAQs

What is the significance of mulled wine? ›

It was created by the Romans who would heat wine to defend their bodies against the cold winter. As the Romans conquered much of Europe throughout the next century, their love for mulled wine spread across their empire and the regions they traded with.

What effect does mulled wine have? ›

The cinnamon in mulled wine has been shown to have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, reducing swelling and restoring normal tissue function. “This may help conditions like arthritis. The antioxidants in red wine and in cloves can also help reduce inflammation.

What is the best win for mulled wine? ›

The best red wine to use for mulled wine is Merlot, Zinfandel or Garnacha (also called Grenache). These wines are dark, fruity and full bodied, which means they can support all of the flavors we'll be adding.

What are some fun facts about mulled wine? ›

It was first popular along the Romans, who would drink hot spiced wine in the winter. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe, so did its partiality for hot red wine. People added different herbs and spices for sweetness, to make bad quality wine taste better, and because they believed in their health benefits.

Is mulled wine very alcoholic? ›

Not much. Mulled wine is warmed, not boiled. Usually with added spices. Whether in a still or in boeuf bourguignon, the higher the heat, the more alcohol is released.

Is mulled wine good for your stomach? ›

Mulled wine contains many gutfriendly ingredients. 'Cinnamon is good for gastrointestinal problems, nutmeg helps soothe indigestion and star anise contains anethole – a compound that helps to relieve tummy spasms and wind,' says Dr Lee. Just don't overindulge, as this may bring on the festive flatulence.

Can you drink mulled wine straight? ›

Yes. Even though the spiced wine is heated, most of the alcohol remains.

What are the side effects of mulled wine? ›

Although mulled wine has a lower alcohol content, when over-consumed, the natural and added sugars in mulled wine can spike your blood sugar levels rapidly, which can also cause headaches the next day. This is due to hyperglycemia, or reactive hypoglycemia, an over or under-compensation of glucose in your bloodstream.

Can you drink mulled wine on its own? ›

The beauty of mulled wine is that it's a drink that you can enjoy on its own. Whether you're sitting in front of the fireplace with a good book, playing games with your family, or watching TV, mulled wine is a warming drink that is brilliant on its own without the need to serve snacks or a meal.

Which wine is best for mulled? ›

The best wines for mulled wine are richly fruity, medium-bodied ones with little oak aging, because these stand up to the bold sweetness and spice of the hot drink without tasting too tannic. For example, try a Chilean Merlot, a Zinfandel from California or a Grenache from Spain.

Who drinks the most mulled wine? ›

This drink is consumed enormously in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Sweden and Denmark, where it is called Glögg and Gløgg respectively (terms meaning "mulled wine" in each language). In Germany, as in most Germanic countries, it is mainly consumed under the name Glühwein.

What supermarket sells the best mulled wine? ›

Morrisons The Best Mulled Wine

With gentle notes of cinnamon, clove and sweet citrus, Morrisons tops our mulled wine taste test for the second year in a row.

Is mulled wine good or bad for you? ›

The red wine base in mulled wine brings its own set of health benefits. Resveratrol is associated with heart health benefits and may help protect the lining of blood vessels, lower bad cholesterol levels, and prevent blood clots. When consumed in moderation, red wine has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.

What is a nickname for mulled wine? ›

This traditional homemade mulled wine recipe is incredibly easy to make and always SO cozy and delicious. Also known as glühwein, vino caliente, glögg, vin brulé, bisschopswijn, vin chaud, candola, vinho quente…or literally a hundred other names, depending on where in the world life may find you.

What to eat with mulled wine? ›

Festive Sweets: Traditional Christmas treats like gingerbread, mince pies, or stollen are an excellent pairing. Their spices harmonise with the wine's own blend of cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Savoury Snacks: Try a glass with some pigs in blankets, sausage rolls, or even a simple bruschetta.

Why is mulled wine a Christmas drink? ›

It soon became a festive staple as people used to make this flavourful drink during winter months only. They used to prepare this drink, especially during Christmas, while enjoying the festival with their friends and family. Soon this became a tradition and is being followed till date.

What is the heritage of mulled wine? ›

So put on your hat and gloves, and discover the history of your favourite winter drink. The first traces of mulled wine date back to the Roman Empire, in the year 20 AD, where it was called Conditum Paradoxum. To make it, the Romans put honey to boil in wine, then added spices (pepper, laurel, saffron), and dates.

Is mulled wine an American thing? ›

Indeed, mulled wine, or spiced wine, is served and enjoyed while hot, making it a perfect drink for the holidays. Often credited to the ancient Greeks, mulled wine has been enjoyed for over 2,000 years. With the rise and expansion of the Roman Empire across Europe, so too did the consumption of mulled wine.

Is mulled wine an English tradition? ›

Mulled wine is very popular and traditional in the United Kingdom at Christmas, and less commonly throughout winter. Mulled cider (and sometimes mulled ale, traditional yet no longer common) is also served, with a mulled apple juice as a non-alcoholic alternative.

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