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Cozy Slow Cooker Mulled Wine – Easy Homemade Recipe

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This cozy slow cooker mulled wine is a simple, set-it-and-forget-it holiday drink made with red wine, citrus, honey, and warm spices. Perfect for gatherings, it fills your home with a festive aroma and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (e.g., Merlot, Zinfandel, or Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 1 large orange (juiced and peeled)
  • ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 6–8 whole cloves
  • 2 whole star anise
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
  • 3–4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
  • ¼ cup brandy or cognac (optional)
  • ½ cup apple cider (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash the orange thoroughly. Using a vegetable peeler, peel off wide strips of the orange zest, avoiding the white pith. Juice the orange into a small bowl (about ¼ cup juice). Set both peel and juice aside.
  2. Peel the 1-inch piece of fresh ginger using a spoon, then slice it into thin rounds (about ¼-inch thick).
  3. Place the cardamom pods on a cutting board and gently press down with the flat side of a knife until they crack open.
  4. Pour the entire bottle of red wine into a 4-6 quart slow cooker. Add the orange juice, honey (or maple syrup), orange peel strips, sliced ginger, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, and crushed cardamom pods. If using brandy and/or apple cider, add them now.
  5. Stir gently to combine. The honey will settle at the bottom but will dissolve as it heats.
  6. Cover the slow cooker and set to LOW heat. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 hours. Do not let it boil; the ideal temperature is around 160°F (70°C). If your slow cooker runs hot, check after 1.5 hours.
  7. After 2 hours, taste and adjust sweetness or spice as needed. Add more honey if desired, or let it simmer longer for stronger spice flavor.
  8. If you prefer a clear drink, strain the mulled wine through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot or carafe. Otherwise, serve directly from the slow cooker, warning guests about whole spices.
  9. Ladle the warm mulled wine into mugs. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and a cinnamon stick if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not let the wine boil; boiling will cook off the alcohol and make spices taste bitter. Go easy on the cloves—too many can overpower the drink. Use a dry wine to control sweetness. For deeper flavor, toast the spices in a dry skillet for 30-60 seconds before adding. This mulled wine tastes even better the next day; store in the fridge and reheat gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled wine, slow cooker mulled wine, holiday drink, spiced wine, easy mulled wine, cozy drink, Christmas drink, slow cooker recipe

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/cozy-slow-cooker-mulled-wine-easy-homemade-recipe/