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A large pot containing mulled wine with orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise floating in the wine.
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4 from 5 votes

Mulled Wine

A simple recipe for mulled wine that is loaded with notes of citrus and warming spices and can be made in your slow cooker or on the stove top. It's cozy, festive and perfect for the holiday season!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Keyword: mulled wine
Servings: 5

Ingredients

  • 1 750 ml bottle dry red wine (I used a Zinfandel, but Merlot, Grenache, Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon are all great options)
  • ¼ cup brandy
  • 1 large orange sliced into rounds, plus more for garnish
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 3 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 3 whole star anise
  • 1-2 Tablespoons maple syrup or honey or your desired sweetener, plus more to taste
  • optional garnishes: orange slices, extra cinnamon sticks, extra star anise

Instructions

Stove Top

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients. Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for at least 15 minutes. Don’t let the mixture come to a boil — you don’t want to boil off the alcohol. The longer it sits the spicier it will get.
    A large pot containing mulled wine, with orange slices floating in the liquid. A wooden spoon is resting inside the pot.
  • Pour wine in a heat proof mug, serve warm and garnish with more orange slices, cinnamon sticks and extra star anise, if desired.

Slow Cooker

  • Combine all of the ingredients in your slow cooker, cover, and cook on low until the wine is steaming hot (about 1 hour). Once the wine is warm, reduce heat to warm or the lowest possible setting so it doesn’t get too spicy.
  • Pour wine in a heat proof mug, serve warm and garnish with more orange slices, cinnamon sticks and extra star anise, if desired.

Notes

  • Brandy: Not necessary but most mulled wine recipes do include brandy! You can sub for whiskey or bourbon as well.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 68mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g