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Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

5 from 1 vote
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posted: 10/20/23

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

My Slow Cooker Mulled Wine is the perfect holiday drink. Made right in your slow cooker with easy-to-find ingredients, all of your guests will love this cocktail.

Photo of mugs of Slow Cooker Mulled Wine with cinnamon sticks and oranges beside

Mulled Wine is one of my very favorite seasonal drinks. It is both spicy and sweet, with a nice boozy kick to it. This slow cooker version of my stovetop Mulled Wine comes together with just minutes of prep. It is the perfect drink for a party because it will warm up your guests with minimal work from you!

Mulled Wine

Mulled Wine is going to be your favorite Christmas cocktail. This great drink is easy to make, and is perfect for serving a crowd.
overhead of a stock pot full of mulled wine recipe, garnished with fresh cranberries and oranges

What is Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is wine that has been heated up with sugar, fruits, and spices. It is served warm and will fill your home with an intoxicating fragrance, making it the ultimate cozy cocktail.

Mulled Wine Ingredients

The combination of red wine, fruit, spices, and brown sugar combine in this easy mulled wine crockpot recipe. Coming together in your slow cooker, it will fill your home with the best cozy smell and warm you up from the inside out.

  • Red wine: This isn’t a recipe you need to splurge on an expensive bottle for. See more on the best wine for mulled wine below.
  • Brown sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to balance the other flavors.
  • Fresh lemon and oranges: We use the peels from each fruit along with slices of orange for garnish.
  • Brandy: The traditional spirit added to mulled wine, this liquor pairs perfectly with red wine.
  • Ruby Port: Port is a dessert wine with a deep and rich flavor. Even if you don’t love port on it’s own, I suggest using it in this great cocktail for the layer of flavor it adds to the background.
  • Whole cloves: This great will really infuse your drink as it simmers for a few hours. If you are concerned about these floating around the cocktail, you can add an orange slice to this before it cooks and put the cloves in that. Another great option is to put them in a cheesecloth and tie that up before adding it.
  • Cinnamon sticks: Adds amazing and cozy flavor.
Overhead photo of crock pot of ingredients for Slow Cooker Mulled Wine recipe with cinnamon sticks and a towel beside.

How to Make Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

This cozy cocktail couldn’t get any easier! Here is a brief summary of the slow cooker mulled wine recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements and ingredients!

  1. Combine all ingredients. Stir together all of the ingredients (except the brandy and port) in your slow cooker, making sure the brown sugar is dissolved completely.
  2. Cook on low. Heat the mulled wine in the slower cooker on low for two hours.
  3. Add the brandy. At the two-hour mark, stir in the brandy and turn your slow cooker to the warm setting. Serve this cocktail warm for a cozy treat!
TOP PICK

Slow Cooker

This is my favorite crockpot. I use it for all of my slow cooker recipes!
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Best Wine for Mulled Wine

While there are many mulled wine recipes employing different types of wine, this one features a bottle of red wine. The key is the use a red wine or red blend that you enjoy drinking by itself. Because we are adding sugar, I would start with a dryer red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, or Pinot Noir. Ultimately, you are going for a flavor that you personally love, and I think it’s important to note that you don’t need to break the bank to achieve that.

Photo of a crock pot of ingredients for Slow Cooker Mulled Wine recipe with cinnamon sticks and orange slices beside.

Serving Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is best enjoyed warm. It can be kept in the crockpot on a warm setting during a party or hosting and served using a ladle. A mug with a handle is helpful to protect your hands from the heat of this cozy beverage.

You can garnish each mug with an extra orange slice or two. It is also beautiful with some fresh cranberries.

TOP PICK

Clear Mugs

These gorgeous clear mugs are perfect for serving your Mulled Wine and seeing it's beautiful color.
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Photo of two mugs of Slow Cooker Mulled Wine with cinnamon sticks and orange slices beside.

Storing Leftovers and Reheating

Let the mulled wine cool completely and strain it into an air-tight container. Store in your fridge and drink the leftovers within three days. To reheat your mulled wine, add the amount you want to drink to a small saucepan. Heat on low until warm. You may also put the mulled wine back in your crockpot on low until warm.

FAQ

Does mulled wine have to be served hot?

Mulled wine is best served warm, but can be enjoyed cold too.

Can mulled wine be reheated?

Yes! See my instructions on reheating your slow cooker mulled wine above.

How long does mulled wine last?

Mulled wine lasts in the refrigerator for three days. Please see our instructions above for storing leftovers.

What is a substitute for brandy in mulled wine?

Rum, bourbon, Cointreau, or even apple juice could all be used instead of brandy in mulled wine.

Can I make mulled wine on the stove?

Yes! I have the perfect Mulled Wine Recipe for the stovetop.

Overhead photo of a crock pot of Slow Cooker Mulled Wine with cinnamon sticks and orange slices beside

Other Holiday Cocktails

If you make this Slow Cooker Mulled Wine recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Photo of mugs of Slow Cooker Mulled Wine with cinnamon sticks and oranges beside
5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Serves: 10 servings
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 10 minutes
My Slow Cooker Mulled Wine is the perfect holiday drink. Made right in your slow cooker with easy to find ingredients, all of your guests will love this cocktail.

Ingredients

  • 1500 milliliters red wine
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 12 whole cloves
  • peel of one lemon
  • peel of one orange
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 cups brandy
  • 2 cups ruby port

Instructions

  • Combine the red wine, brown sugar, cloves, lemon, orange, and cinnamon sticks in a slow cooker. Heat in a slow cooker on low for two hours.
    1500 milliliters red wine, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 12 whole cloves, peel of one lemon, peel of one orange, 4 cinnamon sticks
  • Add the brandy and port and turn the slow cooker to warm. Serve warm in mugs with orange slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish.
    2 cups brandy, 2 cups ruby port
Serving: 6.4ounces Calories: 363kcal (18%) Carbohydrates: 23g (8%) Protein: 0.3g (1%) Fat: 0.05g Saturated Fat: 0.01g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g Trans Fat: 0.001g Sodium: 15mg (1%) Potassium: 261mg (7%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 15g (17%) Vitamin A: 8IU Vitamin C: 0.1mg Calcium: 41mg (4%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Drinks
Photo of mugs of Slow Cooker Mulled Wine with cinnamon sticks and oranges beside

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Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

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  1. Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says

    Is it to early on a Friday morning to start drinking this. Because I’m so over this week. So over. I hate the witching hour because it start precisely when I pick my kids up from daycare until I feed them. I need Mulled Wine to get me through it!

  2. Rachel says

    OMG! Can not make to wait this for family gatherings this winter!! And seriously city, 15 minute warning…that is b.s.

    • Lisa Longley says

      Such BS!! And I will totally add this to the list of things to make on cookie making day! ;)

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