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Cozy Slow Cooker Mulled Wine for Cold Nights

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This slow cooker mulled wine is a warm, spiced drink perfect for cold nights. It’s incredibly easy to make with simple ingredients and the slow cooker does all the work, resulting in a deeply flavorful and comforting beverage.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (Merlot, Zinfandel, or Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 1/4 cup honey (85 grams)
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 whole star anise
  • 2 tablespoons whole cloves (about 30 cloves)
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons brandy or cognac (optional)
  • Extra orange slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep the orange: Wash the orange thoroughly. Slice it into thin rounds, about 1/4 inch thick. If desired, stud each round with a few whole cloves, pushing them into the peel.
  2. Combine everything in the slow cooker: Pour the entire bottle of wine into the slow cooker. Add the honey, orange slices (with or without cloves), cinnamon sticks, star anise, allspice berries, and freshly grated nutmeg. If using brandy, add it now.
  3. Stir gently: Use a wooden spoon or ladle to stir everything together. The honey does not need to dissolve completely.
  4. Set the slow cooker to low: Cover and cook on low for 2–3 hours. Alternatively, cook on high for 1–1.5 hours. The wine should be steaming hot but not boiling.
  5. Taste and adjust: After about 2 hours, taste the wine. If you want it sweeter, stir in more honey. If you want more spice, let it cook another 30 minutes.
  6. Remove the spices (optional): Before serving, fish out the cinnamon sticks, star anise, and any clove-studded orange slices to prevent the spices from becoming too strong.
  7. Serve warm: Ladle the mulled wine into mugs. Garnish each mug with a fresh orange slice and a cinnamon stick. If desired, add a star anise to the side.

Notes

Do not let the wine boil, as it will cook off the alcohol and make the flavors harsh. Use whole spices instead of ground to avoid a gritty texture. The wine can be made a day ahead and reheated. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the wine with red grape juice and skip the brandy.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/cozy-slow-cooker-mulled-wine-for-cold-nights/