Serve Mulled Wine in the Crockpot – Best Holiday Adult Beverage!
Incorporate all the warm and cozy spices of the holidays with this easy-to-make mulled wine Crockpot recipe!
Looking for a festive and warm drink to serve at a holiday party? 🍷
Consider making a batch of warm mulled red wine with spices in the slow cooker to enjoy with family and friends. It’s extremely comforting especially when the weather is chilly, and it will make your home smell amazing as an added bonus!
What is mulled wine?
Mulled wine, or spiced wine, is most often red wine that has been warmed, sweetened with fruit, and infused with warm spices such as cinnamon, clove, anise, allspice, cardamom, and ginger. It’s popular during the colder winter months and is so delicious.
Today I’m sharing a version of mulled wine that is easy to make on the stove and then keep warm in the Crockpot for entertaining! I love that it’s super easy to make and kind of reminds me of hot spiced cider but only better, because WINE. The flavor mix of orange, cinnamon, and clove is my favorite!
Once simmered, all the flavors hang out and create a delicious Crockpot drink. I have to admit, the first time I made mulled wine I was a little hesitant thinking maybe I wouldn’t enjoy wine served as a hot beverage, but I can now vouch that enjoying a warm glass of this wine by the fire on a cold day is awesome.
Tips for making delicious Crockpot mulled wine:
- I boiled and simmered all of the ingredients except the wine first in a medium saucepan on the stove to intensify the flavors and create more of a simple syrup texture. You’ll then transfer to a slow cooker and add the wine.
- As far as the wine goes, don’t worry about using expensive wine and go for an affordable $5 bottle of red wine if you’d like. I just use a couple of bottles of red wine I had on hand, and it turned out great.
- If you would like to make a non-alcoholic version of this recipe, feel free to substitute a non-alcoholic wine or grape juice instead.
- Many mulled wine recipes call for 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup of brandy. We don’t really drink brandy so I didn’t add it. If this sounds good to you, give it a try when adding the wine.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. Feel free to cut the recipe in half for smaller groups.
Crockpot Mulled Wine
yield: 10 SERVINGS
prep time: 10 MINUTES
cook time: 30 MINUTES
total time: 40 MINUTES
The perfect hot spiced wine to cozy up and relax with during the holidays!
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups orange juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 pieces star anise
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- rind of an orange or lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 bottles red wine
- 1/4 cup brandy (optional)
Directions
1
Add the water, sugar, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, anise, lemon juice, orange rind, and ginger to a medium-sized saucepan on the stove. Use a whisk to dissolve the sugar and stir.
2
Bring the mixture to a low boil on medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and then simmer for 30 minutes.
3
Strain the contents using a kitchen strainer, add the mixture to a slow cooker, and pour the wine, and the brandy in (if using). Mix together.
4
Keep on warm in the Crockpot and serve in mugs using a ladle. Garnish as desired with any added orange slices and cinnamon sticks. The recipe makes about 10 cups.
Here’s what my Hip teammate Bryn thinks about this mulled wine recipe:
“I love preparing this wine around the holidays as it makes your house smell amazing and it tastes equally as good! Every time I bring a Crockpot of this to a gathering or party, everyone asks for the recipe. Since it is served hot/warm, it is especially nice to serve on chilly or snowy evenings. Cheers!”
Want more easy and warm Crockpot drink ideas for this winter? Check out:
Make an epic charcuterie board to go along with the mulled wine!
