Slow Cooker Mulled Wine is the ideal cold-weather cocktail. With cozy spices, red wine, citrus and brandy, this drink will keep you warm all winter long.
As soon as there’s even a whisper of a chill in the air, my mind goes to one thing: mulled wine. Some love hot chocolate, others prefer eggnog or hot cider or even a whiskey neat, but I am a mulled wine gal through and through. It’s fun, festive and extremely delicious, best sipped from your favorite mug while wearing a big sweater and huddling under a blankie. Trust me; I’m an authority on this.
Also called spiced wine, glögg (in Nordic countries) or glühwein (in German-speaking countries), this delightful beverage is often served at Christmas markets in Europe to warm patrons’ hands and bellies. It’s a simple concoction of red wine, orange, sugar, and whole spices like cinnamon, cloves and star anise. I like to put some whole cranberries in mine for extra flavor and holiday spirit, but that part’s optional.
Ingredients
This recipe requires just a few basic ingredients, including:
- Wine. The main ingredient! Pick a red variety you like. I tend to stick with basic dry varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, but ultimately, it’s up to you. Just use your favorite!
- Sweetener. I usually use maple syrup, but you can also use honey or even regular ol’ white sugar.
- Orange. I slice up a whole orange into rounds and place them right in the mix, making sure to set some aside for garnish too. Alternatively, you could include strips of zest and juice the orange for extra sweetness and flavor.
- Cranberries. Again, these are optional, but they sure do make it look cute. And they add some extra festive flavor!
- Whole spices: cinnamon, cloves and star anise. These are essential to create that warm, cozy holiday feel. If you have to omit one, make it the star anise — the cinnamon and cloves are critical.
- Brandy. I include a bit of brandy for an extra kick, but you can get creative here! Try orange liqueur or rum instead, or just leave it out if you’d rather.
How to make mulled wine
You can, of course, make this recipe on the stovetop. I’ve included instructions for that below as well. But I like to make mine in the crockpot, partially because I can set it, forget it and come back to mulled wine in an hour, and also because the slow cooker keeps it nice and warm once it’s done.
The process couldn’t be simpler. All you have to do is combine your ingredients (except the brandy) in the slow cooker and heat it on low for an hour. When you come back, stir in the brandy and ladle it into mugs. If you’re feeling extra festive, decorate your drink with an orange wedge and a cinnamon stick!
This recipe also scales incredibly well, so if you’re making it for a big crowd, feel free to double or triple it. Once it’s done, you can leave it on the WARM setting and let guests refill their cups as they please. It’s truly the perfect cocktail for cold-weather gatherings or cozy nights around the fire.
More holiday recipes:
Did you make this recipe? If you loved it, please leave a ⭐5-star rating⭐ and/or leave a comment below the recipe card! And don’t forget to share a photo and tag me on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok — I love seeing you recreate my recipes.
PrintSlow Cooker Mulled Wine
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine is the ideal cold-weather cocktail. With cozy spices, red wine, citrus and brandy, this drink will keep you warm all winter long. Make it in your crockpot or on the stovetop, and double or triple it for a crowd!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 cocktails 1x
Ingredients
- 1 (750-ml) bottle dry red wine, like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 8 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 whole star anise
- ¼ cup brandy
- More orange slices and cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Add the wine, honey or maple syrup, cranberries, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise to the bowl of a slow cooker and stir to combine. Heat on LOW for about 1 hour, or until hot.
- Lower the heat to warm, then stir in the brandy. Adjust sweetener to taste if needed. Ladle into mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks and orange slices.
Stovetop Instructions:
- Add the wine, honey or maple syrup, cranberries, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise to a large saucepan and stir to combine. Bring to a very gentle simmer over medium-high heat — it can be steaming, but it should not bubble. Reduce heat to low, then cover and keep at a gentle simmer for 30 minutes. Do not let it boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in the brandy. Adjust sweetener to taste if needed. Ladle into mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks and orange slices.
Made this recipe? Leave a comment!