Easy Mulled Wine Recipe (Stovetop or Slow Cooker) for Holiday Parties

Mulled wine is one of those drinks that makes the whole house smell like the holidays. A bottle of red wine, a sliced orange, a few whole spices and a little honey go into a pot, and about 30 minutes later you have a warm, lightly sweet drink that's perfect for a cold evening, a cookie swap or a Christmas party.

This version is simple on purpose. You don't need a long shopping list or special equipment. The only real rule is to keep the heat low so the wine never boils.

Why You'll Love This Mulled Wine

• It's ready in about 30 minutes, and most of that time is hands-off.
• It works with inexpensive wine. The spices and orange do the heavy lifting, so save the good bottle for dinner.
• You can make it ahead and keep it warm in a slow cooker while guests help themselves.
• It's easy to adjust. Make it sweeter, spicier or a little stronger with a splash of brandy.

Ingredients

Makes about 4 1/2 cups (just over 1 liter), enough for 6 small mugs. Prep time: 5 minutes. Cook time: 25 to 30 minutes.

• 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine
• 1 cup (240 ml) apple cider or unsweetened apple juice
• 1 medium orange, sliced into rounds, plus extra slices for serving
• 3 cinnamon sticks, plus extra for serving
• 8 whole cloves
• 3 star anise pods
• 3 thin slices fresh ginger (optional)
• 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, plus more to taste
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) brandy (optional)

Which wine to use

Pick a dry, fruity red that you'd happily drink on its own, nothing too oaky or tannic. Merlot, Zinfandel, Garnacha (Grenache) and Côtes du Rhône all work well. There's no point in buying an expensive bottle, because the spices will cover the finer details.

How to Make Mulled Wine on the Stove

1. Add everything except the brandy to a pot

Pour the wine and apple cider into a medium saucepan. Add the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, ginger (if using) and honey. Stir until the honey dissolves.

2. Warm it gently

Set the pot over medium-low heat until the wine is steaming and you see a few tiny bubbles around the edge, about 8 to 10 minutes. Don't let it boil. Alcohol evaporates fast as the wine gets close to boiling (alcohol boils at about 173°F / 78°C, well below water), and a hard boil also makes the spices taste harsh.

3. Let it steep

Turn the heat down to low and let the wine steep for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once or twice. Taste it and add another spoonful of honey if you like it sweeter.

4. Add the brandy and serve

Turn off the heat and stir in the brandy, if using. Ladle the wine into mugs or heatproof glasses through a small strainer to catch the cloves, then add a fresh orange slice and a cinnamon stick to each one.

How to Make It in a Slow Cooker

Add all the ingredients except the brandy to a slow cooker and cook on LOW for 1 to 2 hours, until hot and fragrant. Stir in the brandy, then switch to the WARM setting for serving. If your slow cooker runs hot, leave the lid slightly open so the wine doesn't bubble.

For a long party, scoop out the orange slices and whole spices after about 2 hours and add fresh orange slices instead. Left in for many hours, the orange peel and cloves can make the wine taste bitter.

Tips and Easy Swaps

• Use whole spices, not ground. Ground cinnamon and cloves make the wine cloudy and gritty.
• Sweeten at the end. Start with 3 tablespoons of honey and add more after steeping, since the orange and cider already add some sweetness.
• Swap the brandy. Orange liqueur, dark rum or port all work, or you can leave it out.
• Add more fruit. A few apple slices or a handful of fresh cranberries look pretty in the pot and add a little tartness.
• Make it alcohol-free. Replace the wine with 3 cups (720 ml) of unsweetened red grape juice and skip the brandy. Taste before adding honey, because grape juice is already sweet.
• Double it. Two bottles fit in a large pot or a 6-quart slow cooker. Double everything else and keep the same steeping time.

How to Store and Reheat Mulled Wine

Let leftover mulled wine cool, strain out the orange and spices, and keep it in a covered jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a saucepan over low heat until steaming, without letting it boil. You can also warm single mugs in the microwave in 30-second bursts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does mulled wine still have alcohol?

Yes. Warming the wine gently cooks off only a small part of the alcohol, so treat a mug of mulled wine like a glass of wine. If you're serving kids or guests who don't drink, make a separate pot of the alcohol-free version.

Can I make mulled wine ahead of time?

Yes. Make it up to a day ahead, strain it and keep it in the fridge. Warm it on the stove or in a slow cooker about 30 minutes before guests arrive, and add fresh orange slices for serving.

What's the best wine for mulled wine?

A dry, fruity, inexpensive red such as Merlot, Zinfandel or Garnacha. Very oaky or tannic wines can taste bitter once they're warmed with spices.

More Recipes

• Homemade Eggnog Recipe: Safe, Creamy, Holiday Classic
• French Hot Chocolate with Orange Zest and Whipped Cream
• 5 Cozy Fall Drink Recipes to Turn Your Kitchen Into an Autumn Cafe
• Easy Peppermint Bark (4 Ingredients, No Candy Thermometer)

Keep a pot of this warming on the stove the next time friends come over, and the kitchen will smell like Christmas all evening.