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Perfect Slow Cooker Mulled Wine for Easy Holiday Parties

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This slow cooker mulled wine is the ultimate make-ahead crowd-pleaser for holiday parties. Simply toss in wine, oranges, spices, and a splash of brandy, then let the slow cooker do the work while you enjoy your own gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (Merlot, Zinfandel, or Garnacha)
  • 1/2 cup brandy or orange liqueur (Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (plus more to taste)
  • 4–5 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 4–5 whole star anise pods
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon allspice berries (or a pinch of ground allspice)
  • 2–3 slices fresh ginger (about 1/4 inch thick)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For garnish: orange slices, fresh cranberries, extra cinnamon sticks

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Wash the orange and slice into thin rounds (about 1/4 inch thick). Peel a 2-inch piece of fresh ginger and slice into 3-4 thin coins. Measure out honey, brandy, and vanilla extract. Gather whole spices.
  2. Combine everything in the slow cooker: Pour the entire bottle of red wine into the slow cooker. Add brandy or orange liqueur. Drop in orange slices and ginger coins. Add honey or maple syrup. Toss in all whole spices. Add vanilla extract. Stir gently to combine.
  3. Set it and forget it: Cover the slow cooker and set to low for 2-4 hours, or high for 1-2 hours. Do not let the wine boil. Low and slow produces a more balanced flavor.
  4. Taste and adjust: After the wine has heated and infused, taste and adjust sweetness or spice as desired. Add more honey for sweetness, let it infuse longer for more spice, or add a splash more brandy for extra warmth.
  5. Strain before serving: Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl or pitcher. Carefully ladle the mulled wine through the strainer to remove spices, orange slices, and ginger. Discard solids.
  6. Transfer back to slow cooker for serving: Pour the strained mulled wine back into the clean slow cooker and set to ‘warm’ setting to keep at perfect drinking temperature for hours.
  7. Garnish and serve: Ladle warm mulled wine into mugs. Garnish each with a fresh orange slice, a few cranberries, and a fresh cinnamon stick for stirring. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not boil the wine; it will become bitter and lose alcohol. Use whole spices, not ground, to avoid a gritty texture. The mulled wine tastes even better the next day—make it up to 24 hours in advance. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute red wine with pomegranate juice, tart cherry juice, or apple cider.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled wine, slow cooker, holiday party, winter drink, spiced wine, easy entertaining

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/perfect-slow-cooker-mulled-wine-for-easy-holiday-parties/