Description
A warm and aromatic mulled wine recipe with a Mediterranean twist, perfect for holiday gatherings and cozy winter nights. Made easy in a crockpot with a balanced blend of spices, citrus, and optional brandy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bottle dry red wine (750 ml / 25.4 fl oz)
- 1 orange, zested and sliced
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 star anise pods
- 1 vanilla bean, split (optional)
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup brandy or orange liqueur (optional)
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Zest the orange carefully, avoiding the white pith. Slice the orange and lemon into thin rounds. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise to release the seeds.
- Pour the bottle of red wine into the crockpot. Add orange zest, citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and the split vanilla bean (seeds and pod). Pour in honey (or maple syrup) and water. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and wine to warm without boiling.
- Optional: Stir in brandy or orange liqueur just before serving.
- Serve warm in mugs or heatproof glasses, garnished with a cinnamon stick or orange slice if desired.
Notes
Use whole spices for best flavor and appearance; avoid boiling to prevent bitterness. Strain before serving if you prefer no floating bits. Can be made non-alcoholic by substituting grape or cranberry juice and omitting brandy. Keep crockpot on warm to serve over several hours. Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 150180
- Sugar: 20
- Carbohydrates: 20
Keywords: mulled wine, crockpot mulled wine, holiday drink, Mediterranean mulled wine, warm winter beverage, spiced wine, holiday cocktail, slow cooker drink