Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Dec 8, 2022 · 342 Comments

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.

Mulled red wine in a slow cooker, laden with fresh cranberries, a cinnamon stick, star anise and orange slices.

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.

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Ingredients
How to make mulled wine
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

A clear glass mug full of slow cooker mulled wine, garnished with fresh cranberries, a cinnamon stick and an orange wedge.

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.

A ladle full of mulled wine, dotted with cranberries, a star anise and an orange slice.

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.

An overhead shot of a mug full of slow cooker mulled wine, garnished with fresh cranberries, a cinnamon stick and an orange wedge.

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