CrockPot Mulled Wine Recipe

Mulled wine is such a fantastic party drink! 

Fill your slow cooker with a few bottles of red, some fresh orange, cinnamon, and a touch of sugar and you have a warm, belly-filling drink for the adults!



Day 329.

It's day three hundred and twenty-nine, and it's my birthday.

I have a lot to be thankful for this year. It's been a total trip.

Last Friday, Adam called and said that he invited a bunch of friends over to celebrate my birthday. 


He told me not to ask questions but that they were coming, and that he'd handle it all. It's a good thing our house is always thirty-minutes-away from being company-ready.

I put on a crab dip, and this mulled wine for our friends. I had fun fiddling in the kitchen, and the kids went to town making decorations.

When everyone was settled and had some of the mulled wine (quite enjoyable!) Adam laid out his surprise: he was dropping the six ladies off at a restaurant and the boys were going to watch all of the kids. 

My friends were in on it, and we all piled into the mini van. When we got to the restaurant, a table was waiting piled with appetizers and champagne.

Wow. The night couldn't have been any better. 

Thank you Adam, and thank you so much to Jennifer, Karen, Claudia, Nancy, and Carol. I love you all so much.

And now I'm crying. Again.


The Ingredients.


  • 2 bottles dry red wine (I used Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 3 oranges)
  • 2 more oranges (one to float on top, and one for garnish wedges)
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 whole cloves


The Directions.



I used a 6 quart crockpot.

Open the wine. This was really very hard for me. I need one of those fancy wine opener thingies. 

It seriously took a good twenty minutes for me to open one of the bottles, and I got all sweaty and frustrated. ugh.

Squeeze the oranges to get 1 cup of juice. I'm sure you could get away with using store-bought juice, but the pulp floating around is what's kind of neat about mulled wine; it's more rustic this way. 

And oranges are in season.

Stir in the sugar, and add the ground spices. Float the cinnamon sticks and whole cloves on top. Slice one of the oranges in rings, and float the rings on top.

Cover and cook on high for 2 hours, or on low for 4.


You want the wine to get as hot as a traditional hot beverage.

Ladle into mugs, and serve with a fresh orange wedge.

When serving, leave the lid off and the crockpot on "low."


The Verdict.

I liked this much more than I thought I would, and look forward to making it again. I will on Thanksgiving. 

I like that you can use terribly cheap wine 

(Adam went shopping the night before and Trader Joe's was already closed, but this is a great use for 2 Buck Chuck---although he assures me that the Sutter Home was on sale for $3.99) 

And still wow even the toughest wine snob.


Fantastic party drink. Put the ingredients in your slow cooker, and let guests ladle out their own servings. Use red wine, fresh orange juice, allspice, cinnamon, and cloves. Super fun crockpot recipe for the holidays!




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Mulled wine

Mulled wine

Yield: 12
Author: Stephanie O'Dea AYearofSlowCooking.com
Prep time: 1 HourCook time: 4 HourTotal time: 5 Hour
how to make mulled wine in the crockpot slow cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 bottles dry red wine (I used Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 3 oranges)
  • 2 more oranges (one to float on top, and one for garnish wedges)
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 whole cloves

Instructions

  1. I used a 6 quart crockpot.
  2. Open the wine. 
  3. Squeeze the oranges to get 1 cup of juice. I'm sure you could get away with using store-bought juice, but the pulp floating around is what's kind of neat about mulled wine; it's more rustic this way.
  4. Stir in the sugar, and add the ground spices.
  5.  Float the cinnamon sticks and whole cloves on top. 
  6. Slice one of the oranges in rings, and float the rings on top.
  7. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours, or on low for 4.
  8. You want the wine to get as hot as a traditional hot beverage.
  9. Ladle into mugs, and serve with a fresh orange wedge.
  10. When serving, leave the lid off and the crockpot on "low."


Do you love this recipe?

Please share it with your friends!


Posted by: Stephanie O'Dea | A Year of Slow Cooking at November 24, 2008

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What they say about this recipe

  1. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous11/24/2008

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY! TOMORROW IS MINE! I will be 25 on Nov 25th!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday Steph!

    Hope you have a great day and a wonderful year!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday! My birthday is in 4 days. I love fall birthdays.
    Your blog is very nice and inspiring.

    Thank you, Tamar.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Birthday!! I'm glad you enjoyed a nice dinner with your friends, and it was a surprise! :)

    On a total side note: I have a crockpot suggestion! Have you tried to make those probably-really-fattening-but-they-are-soooo-tasty-that-I-don't-care sausage cheese balls in the CPot? I seriously thought about using it last week when I made some of those for hubby's Thanksgiving lunch at work, but I was worried they'd come out all greasy. Ewww.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy birthday!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy Birthday! So glad you've had a good year. I've been trying your recipes and my year has been great too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a great birthday surprise! Happy Day! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy Birthday. I love your blog--I have tried lots of your recipes and plan on trying many more. Thanks for doing this.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Scoooorrre! in the husband department

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  11. Happy birthday! I hope your day is fabulous. And thank you for all the great crock-pot inspiration. I made your Pumpkin Spice Lattes over the weekend and they were a big hit.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy Birthday!! Your blog is a gift to all of us every day of the year, so I am glad that your birthday was so special!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy, Happy Birthday! Enjoy the day. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Happy Birthday!

    Seriously, there is nothing hotter than a man who will watch his kids without a fuss--well, okay a man who does dishes, maybe!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've been reading your blog all year, but never commented before. But I figured since it's your birthday, I would let you know how much I've enjoyed your recipes. I've used several of them and found some true keepers. You've also inspired me to look at my crock pot in a whole new light, not just as a easy way to make soups or a roast, but for lots of other things as well. I know my boyfriend is very tired of hearing me say, "Did you know you can make insert whatever IN THE CROCK POT???"

    So thanks for your hard work, and happy birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very cool. I think you should keep him. (And I will refrain from asking just how darn young you are!)

    ReplyDelete
  19. happy birthday, steph!!!!!

    that was so nice and romantic of your husband!!! i hope i find a man like him someday. glad you had a great time!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Happy Birthday! What a sweet gift!

    ReplyDelete
  21. A) Happy Birthday!
    B) It's my birthday too!
    C) I love my crock pot and don't use it enough but you are an inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday!!! I thoroughly enjoy your blog and am looking forward to what you will bring us next year!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous11/24/2008

    ah, what a wonderful day...a birthday, not "another" birthday...here's toasting you in mulled wine, champagne, and all the other good things of life. you are making me, and a zillion other people, happy w/ your unique blog and crockpotting. long may you enjoy your activity as much as i and all your fans are. cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous11/24/2008

    hello and happy birthday. i just wanted to let you know i'm here and reading....late joiner. anyways, i hate when people read my blog and never comment, so i'm trying to not be that annoying person. thanks, this is a cool thing you're doing!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for this blog - and the gift it's been to all of your readers!

    Your husband flat-out rocks! And that's that!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am an elementary principal. I may be making this TONIGHT for just ME.

    Thanks for sharing and hey, Happy Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday, thank you so much for keeping up with the blog. I really enjoy it and talk to my friends about what the "crock pot lady" is making these days...

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday!
    I love your blog! It inspires me to use my crockpot more often.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday Stephanie!!!

    What a fun time it sounds like you had.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am a huge lurker. But I have a few things to say.

    #1: Happy Birthday!

    #2: I found your blog about a month ago, and am a subscriber and read it every day.

    #3: I made the pumpkin spice lattes the other day, and plan on making it for my parents on Thanksgiving morning when they come into town. The kids LOVED them (I doubled the recipe!)

    #4: Thank you for doing this, it's so wonderful for a single mom of six kids, who's oven broke over a year ago to find a new way to cook meals.

    #5: What are you going to do next year? This year is almost over and I'm looking forward to your ideas then.

    #6: What a wonderful man you have. How sweet to give you that time for your b-day

    #7: I will make this for Thanksgiving! It'll be a wonderful surprise for the families! (We are having a Thanksgiving with about 15+ people)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday Steph! And I really think you can't go wrong with mulled wine. Jason and I make it many times each fall and winter.

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  32. Happy Birthday!

    I LOVE Mulled Wine. I usually get the cheapest Red that I can find...then load it up with spices. It makes it super yummy!

    Aspen Mulling Spices are a great "shortcut" solution for getting this drink ready fairly quickly. Once it all dissolves into the wine, it's basically ready. It's better if it is allowed to sit for a bit, but it's still good as soon as it's ready!

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  33. Happy Birthday, Birthday Buddy!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Your house is always company ready? I am so buying your book.

    happy birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Happy birthday! What an incredibly sweet husband.

    I have to say, it's cruel to tantalize us with the whole "30 minute to company ready" thing when your organizer still isn't printed yet. But when it is...mine's been pre-ordered for months! (So I need to warn my husband not to do such an incredibly sweet thing for me until I'm fully prepared with your book!)

    I have to say, at first I was picturing a whole orange actually floating on top of the cider and thought that would look kinda weird. Though bobbing for oranges in mulled wine might really be an exciting party game.

    ReplyDelete
  36. The wine sounds great! Happy Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  37. happy birthday!!! we love mulled wine in our house and I am excited to try this!!!!

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  38. Fist of all.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
    Second......I LOVE mulled wine! I accidentally got drunk on mulled wine once. I'm not a drinker but I love Mulled wine. My theory was that because it was a hot drink then all the alcohol must have cooked off......WRONG!!!! 11 glasses later and I was very sick and wobbly!
    I still love it but will only have a couple of glasses!!
    Im going to try this one this Christmas, cant wait.
    V x

    ReplyDelete
  39. Happy Birthday! I, too, am buying your book if you can teach me to be ready for company in 30 minutes. Any plan for a cookbook after the year is over?

    ReplyDelete
  40. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

    Your blog is a delight and inspires me to cook SOOOO much more often! I have grown to love my Krups Multi Cooker this year; it is a real workhorse since it slow cooks, whips up perfect rice, and steams tender-crisp veggies. If you are looking to add to your crockpot family, I highly recommend it :D It is working almost all days of the week cooking up something great from your blog.

    THANKS SO MUCH!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Happy Birthday Stephanie have a wonderful day.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Happy Birthday crock pot queen!! I hope you have a great birthday although sounds like you already have!! Thanks for keeping the recipes comin.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Anonymous11/24/2008

    What a nice guy. I love surprises. Happy Birthday and thanks for all the great recipes and ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Anonymous11/24/2008

    A happy birthday
    to Queen Crockativity!
    May your Crock e'er rock.

    Wheat-free DB

    P.S. to C. Beth: lol at your party game comment!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Happy Birthday!

    I've been following along for a good while now, but recently introduced you and your blog to my MOMS Club and you are the talk of the group. We are always seeing who tried which recipe!

    :)

    Thanks for the cooking inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy birthday to yooooouuuuuuuuu,
    happy birthday toooo yooooouuuuuuuuu!
    Happy birthday dear Stephanie,
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOOO YOOOOUUUUUUU!
    (and many moooore) (crockpots!)

    Have a great one, girl. Glad you had such a fun night!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Happy Birthday! It's my birthday, too!

    I'm getting married in January, and my fiance just got a pastoral job. Yesterday when we walked through the parsonage there was a small crockpot sitting on the counter that someone had donated. I instantly got excited because a) I got a large crockpot at my bridal shower, b) which means that now I have TWO crockpots, therefore c) I can make two of your recipes at once!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Are you considering making mulled apple cider anytime soon? I'll be need a recipe to make enough hot apple cider for at least 500 people for Christmas Eve service at church. I'd love to see what you would make!

    Shannon

    PS:
    Happy Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Happy Birthday!

    I was wondering if you were going to do a mulled wine in the crock pot! I've been making it on the stove ...just wondering if The CrockPot Lady will make some. :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Pampered Chef has--by far--the best wine opener I've ever seen! I've never been able to open wine bottles, and with this one it is a breeze!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Happy B-Day ! I only wish I had found you at the beginning of 2008 and have a great Thanksgiving !

    ReplyDelete
  52. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy birthday! Mine is tomorrow, and instead of going out, the husband is cooking my favorite dishes. And serving them on our china, marking the first time we'll have used our china and crystal (it was in boxes for months and months after our wedding)

    ReplyDelete
  53. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birhtday!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Happy Birthday!! Have a fabulous day! Mine was yesterday.... :)

    I was directed to your blog by a friend just a couple of weeks ago; I wish I'd found you sooner. Gluten-free crockpotting...how cool is that!

    JoAnn

    ReplyDelete
  55. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Thank you for all the wonderful recipes. I had never used my crock pot before I found your blog so my family owes you alot of thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  56. Happy, happy birthday, Steph!!!

    I wish I could give you a present. Especially since you give me/us a present Every Single Day!

    Nice work, Adam :)

    quinn

    ReplyDelete
  57. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday! Love your site. That hubby of yours sounds like a keeper- What a nice surprise he had for you! Have a great year.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy, happy birthday! The wine looks great - will keep it on file for the hols. Your special party sounds soooo fabulous! Horray to Adam for setting you up. I'm glad to hear you had such a wonderful time.
    oxox my friend. *mwah*

    ReplyDelete
  59. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!

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  60. Na na na na na na na na ... they say it's your birthday ... yes, we're going to a party, party! (Imagine the Beatles singing to you! not me. LOL) Happy Birthday, Stephanie!! What a great evening your husband and friends arranged for you--very cool! Thanks for giving us this gift of wonderful recipes daily, plus sharing your great sense of humor.

    I hosted our celiac/gluten intolerance support group meeting on Saturday. I made your pumpkin pie dip and the wassail. Both were awesome. I doubled the pumpkin pie dip recipe, but we had so many goodies that I had leftovers, which I shared with my co-workers today. As far as the wassail, I have to admit I never thought I liked apple cider, but that wassail with the additions of the pineapple juice, cloves, honey (we have our own bee hives, so we used our own honey), and the floating orange slices and cinnamon was just divine! I made your Thai coconut chicken soup for our last meeting and it was a huge hit, too.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Happy Birthday Stephanie!

    You and your blog have been a gift to all of us all year.

    Thanks for the daily inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Anonymous11/24/2008

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! sounds like you had a great one!!

    Thanks again for crockin' every day, you have definitel inspired me!! If you ever need any recipes, let me know, I have quite a few now that you haven't tried, email me at jillybean@hvc.rr.com if you are interested.

    You are a total joy to read, keep up the good work!!

    Jill from NY

    ReplyDelete
  63. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Just stopping by to wish you a happy birthday! All the cool kids have November birthdays. (Mine was the 15th.)

    ReplyDelete
  64. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Wow, Adam knew he had to impress A LOT of people for your birthday b/c so many women are in on your daily life- and he did a heck of a job! Good for you for a night out. Happy Birthday, and thanks so much for all your hard work to help all of us non-cooking types out. Your site is one of 3 I visit without fail, every day. God Bless You, Bev Reed

    ReplyDelete
  65. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Man, can't you make another resolution to keep using your crockpot everyday next year too? You are just awesome and I can't get enough of your blog! I am a big wine lover and always have Cabernet around so thanks for this recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy birthday! What a great birthday surprise!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Happy Birthday !
    My step-daughters B-day is tomorrow and mine is the 26th and my Dad's was 2 days after mine. Such a sweet hubby you have. Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy birthday, girl!! Thanks for this very helpful blog. I wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday and I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Thank you sooo much for all the hard work you have done to make this blog absolutely wonderful. I cannot tell how much I have enjoyed coming home from work and looking to see what you post. You're the best!! Happy Birthday!

    Brigett'
    Ladystyx427@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Anonymous11/24/2008

    Happy Birthday! Your very lucky to have such a thoughtfull husband to do this for you. But Im sure that you are well aware of that. Thanks for posting this recipie just before the holidays so that it will help us deal with the families!
    And by the way, I love your sense of humor with every post. And the way you put the way your kids ate it. Its very refreshing and easy to relate too.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Happy Birthday!!!! :)

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  72. Happy Birthday Stephanie! Mine was Nov.6 another Stephanie in November we must be special. Way to plan Adam!

    ReplyDelete
  73. Crockpot Coupon Alert:
    maybe everyone has already seen this, but I was poking around on the FAQ link and found a 5$ mail-in rebate!
    "MANUFACTURER REBATE: Expires 11/30/08. Valid with the purchase of any Crock-Pot Slow Cooker
    with a retail purchase price of $24.50 or greater. Limit one rebate per household and address; multiple
    requests from groups or organizations will not be honored. Maximum rebate $5.00, offer valid in U.S.A.
    only."
    In case anyone needs a reason to buy another crock RIGHT NOW! :)
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  74. happy beleated birthday to you!!! hope your family took you out to dinner!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  75. Anonymous11/25/2008

    Birthday, however old you are. Never loose that child-like ability to find the best in everything. Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  76. Wow, that's awesome! So wonderful of him and so wonderful for you! What a knight in shining armor. =) Happy birthday, Steph!

    ReplyDelete
  77. Happy Birthday!

    Yes, Two Buck Chuck is great for Mulled wine, but Sutter Home is normally $3 - $4 on sale, so it was a good cost-conscious alternative!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Anonymous11/25/2008

    Thank you for sharing your special day with us! I wish you belated hugs, and that the year to come is filled with many special blessings. :)

    ReplyDelete
  79. Happy Belated Birthday!

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  80. Steph, I've really enjoyed your blog this year. Happy belated birthday! Mine was the 24th also.

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  81. Sounds good...now I just need one for apple cider;)

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  82. I made the mulled wine and the cream cheese mashed potatoes for our belated Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday. They were both a HUGE hit! Thank you so much for sharing these. I think the mashed potatoes will probably become my standard recipe.

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  83. Happy late birthday! I made your mulled wine - btw! It was great!

    http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2008/11/mulled-wine-not-to-be-confused-with.html

    ReplyDelete
  84. Anonymous12/02/2008

    Hi there,

    Your blog is fabulous, BTW, and I hope you had a very happy bday last week. :)
    I have a question about the mulled wine--do you think agave nectar could be used in place of the white sugar? I love mulled wine and I'd love to try this recipe, but I don't keep sugar on-hand...

    Thanks in advance!
    ~A GF chick in Jersey :)

    ReplyDelete
  85. Hi Anon,

    I did have a great birthday, thank you!
    I don't have any personal experience with agave nectar. I'd imagine it would work just fine, and hopefully you know the conversion from white sugar; I have no clue.
    I have seen recipes sweetened with honey and corn syrup (gag)... so my gut says it would work just fine.

    xoxo
    steph

    ReplyDelete
  86. I love this! So far everything I have tried from your blog is de-lish! And now I know why I was destined to find your blog...we share the same birthday!!! (I think you're a little younger than me though ;-} ) Best Wishes.

    ReplyDelete
  87. I'm not sure if you would know the answer to this, but I figured I'd ask. I was looking into making this for Christmas for the family. I was just wondering, is the alcohol cooked off in the wine, or is the wine only heated until hot? I am pregnant and wasn't sure if I could have any of it or not.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Hi Christina,
    nope, no wine for you. The alcohol all stays in---you're going to have to stick to Martinellis. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  89. My friend just introduced me to mulled wine. I shared her recipe for making it on the stove on my site. She adds sliced apples which are so tasty after they have been soaking in your glass after several pours. I am going to try and use my slow cooker for a party tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  90. made this last night for a get-together. very easy and yummy, but I found that I preferred it with more OJ. For some reason, it tasted SUPER strong - almost like I added brandy (like you would for sangria.) Not sure why it tasted that way, since I used wine that I like drinking regularly (not super cheap stuff.) But I would absolutely make it again.

    ReplyDelete