Last Updated on March 28, 2022 by Anne-Marie
Make slow cooker mulled wine for your Christmas party. Mulled wine in a slow cooker is a fun alternative to the usual holiday cocktails.
Why this recipe works
Have you ever made slow cooker mulled wine? Serve this festive drink at your next holiday party instead of sparkling wine or mixed drinks.
This easy mulled wine recipe for the slow cooker is ideal for parties since you can “fix it and forget it.”
It’s also super convenient to serve at holiday parties. That’s because crock-pot mulled wine can easily be kept warm in your slow cooker and guests can help themselves.
What is mulled wine?
Mulled wine, also called spiced wine, glogg, or hot wine (vin chaud in France) is a heated red wine that’s mixed with spices and other ingredients like apple cider, oranges, lemon, and honey.
It’s usually served during the winter holidays. I’ve enjoyed this drink as Gluehwein or Gluhwein in Germany at their outdoor Christmas markets where it’s sold in little ceramic mugs.
I’ve also had it at Chicago’s downtown Christkindlmarket, too. It’s just the thing for enjoying on a cold winter night after going to the holiday market, at a party, or after Christmas caroling.
How to make mulled wine
This makes the best mulled wine recipe.
1. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
2. Cook for approximately 2-4 hours on high. depending on your slow cooker) until mulled wine is boiling.
Bringing the spiced wine to a boil has the advantage of burning off some of the alcohol so your guests won’t get too toasty if you know what I mean.
3. Lower temperature to warm or a low heat setting.
Once you get it up to temperature, most slow cookers have a warm setting that should keep this mulled wine recipe at just the perfect temperature for the rest of the night.
4. Serve in small mugs or glasses with a ladle.
Best wine for mulled wine
Don’t use an expensive wine from your rack. Instead a dry red wine like cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, or pinot noir.
Have a fruity wine that you want to use up? The best part of this recipe is using up bottles of wine that you’re not too fond of.
Once you’ve disguised the hot wine with whole spices, sweeteners, and even vinegar, you won’t notice that it’s not the best wine in the world.
Can you use white wine? Yes there white spiced wine recipes out there that use cranberry juice and rum.
How much should I make for my party?
How much should I make for my party? If you have a large slow cooker, make a double batch so there’s plenty for your party guests.
If you have leftovers, you can always reheat the mulled wine to enjoy another time.
Pour leftovers into airtight containers and refrigerate. Use up in a couple of weeks.
How to serve mulled wine
Mugs or glasses? Either are fine. But keep your punch glasses or mugs small!
Mulled spiced wine gets cold quickly, and isn’t as good at room temperature as it is toasty warm.
If you like, you can garnish the warm mugs or glass cup orange slices or sliver of leftover orange peel.
What else can I add to this drink?
There are many variations to this drink recipe. You can combine wine with:
● bottled orange juice or dried orange peel instead of fresh oranges
● mulling spices instead of individual spices (go by the package directions)
● apple juice instead of apple cider
● throw in a handful fresh cranberries in the slow cooker
About the slow cooker mulled wine recipe ingredients
Spices: I decided to put a special spin on this mulled wine recipe using a variety of non-traditional spices like star anise and allspice berries along with cinnamon sticks and whole cloves.
It’s a terrific way to use up all those extra spices in your cabinet!
Sweeteners: I used sorghum syrup as the sweetener. But if you can’t find sorghum in your neck of the woods, you can use maple syrup or honey instead.
Depending on the red wine you use and how much you like balsamic vinegar, if you don’t think the mulled wine sweet enough, add a tablespoon or two of brown sugar.
Vinegar: To make this slow cooker mulled wine recipe unique, I used balsamic vinegar as it adds depth to this holiday cocktail.
How to reheat mulled wine
Have leftovers? Reheat spiced wine the following ways:
● on the stove top in a sauce pan
● in mugs in the microwave
You can also reheat this easy mulled wine recipe on high in the crock pot, but it will take some time to do so.
More party cocktail and mocktail ideas
Serve up these drinks at holiday season parties:
● Slow Cooker Smoking Bishop – a warm brandy and port punch mentioned in A Christmas Carol story
● Homemade Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe for a Crowd – you can add liquor to individual mugs if you like
● Dead Man’s Kiss Black Cocktail Recipe - a spooky black cocktail to enjoy on the full moon or at Halloween
● Meyer Lemon Shrub Drink Recipe - like kombucha
● S’mores Martini – a cold chocolate drink with a toasted marshmallow
● Peach Whiskey Cocktail – kept cold with frozen peach slices
● Orange Blossom Mocktail – a fizzy orange drink kids and adults love
● Lemonade Sangria – another mocktail that’s perfect for holiday gatherings
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine Recipe
Make slow cooker mulled wine for your next holiday party. Mulled wine in a slow cooker is a fun alternative to the usual holiday cocktails.
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider
- 1 bottle red wine, such as a cabernet sauvignon or zinfandel
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup sorghum syrup, maple syrup, or honey
- 1 (2-inch) piece ginger root, peeled
- 4 clementine oranges, zested and juiced
- 3 star anise
- 3 allspice berries
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cook for approximately 2-4 hours on high setting until mulled wine is boiling.
- Lower temperature to warm or a low heat setting.
- Serve in small mugs or glasses with a ladle.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate Affiliate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
15Serving Size:
1/2 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 149Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 20gProtein: 0g
Nutritional information is automatically calculated per the ingredients list. Serving size may not be accurate. Please double-check with your preferred nutritional app for the most accurate information.
Originally published on December 24, 2013. Updated with new pictures and information.