Quick and Easy Mulled Wine Recipe for the Holidays

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This quick and easy Mulled Wine recipe is like a warm hug for your taste buds. The best part? It’s faster to make than it takes to untangle those Christmas lights you swore you put away neatly last year.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Mulled wine? Isn’t that some fancy European thing that takes hours to make?” Nope!

My recipe is so easy to make, so grab that bottle of red you’ve been saving for a “special occasion” (aka Tuesday), and let’s get mulling! 

Mulled red wine, Hot toddies, and Eggnog are all holiday traditions that don’t get nearly enough love, in my opinion. I don’t understand why.

Let’s make mulled wine the star of the 2024 Holiday Season!

This simple mulled wine crockpot recipe only takes a few minutes to make. You literally throw everything into a crockpot, let it simmer, and before you know it, your taste buds will be dancing, and you will be filled with love. 

Mulled wine is a great alternative to hot toddies, coffee, and Kahlua, so my family will be served at any gatherings I host this fall and winter. 

Mulled wine is inexpensive and easy to make in no time at all. I suggest using a cheap red wine, one that is fruity and full-bodied. The first step in mulling wine is to toast the spices in a pan. 

The “I’ve Got 15 Minutes and a Dream” Mulled Wine Recipe:

Ingredients:

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• 1 bottle of red wine (Nothing fancy – save the good stuff for impressing your in-laws)
• Splash of Gran Gala
• 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup if you’re feeling extra festive)
• 1 orange, sliced (if it’s slightly past its prime, even better – we’re not judging)
• 2 cinnamon sticks (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon if you’re not here to impress)
• 4 whole cloves (don’t sweat it if you only have 3)
• 2 star anise (optional, but they look pretty and make you feel fancy)

Instructions:

1. Toasting spices intensifies their flavor, brings out the aromatic oils, and adds complexity to their taste by layering in a warm, toasty flavor. It also makes your kitchen smell amazing!
2. Grab your largest pot. No, bigger. Yeah, that’s the one – the one you usually only use for boiling an entire family’s worth of pasta.
3. Dump in the entire bottle of wine. Pour one out for all the grapes that sacrificed themselves for this moment of glory.
4. Add the honey, orange slices, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. It’s starting to look like a Christmas potpourri in there, isn’t it?
5. Heat it up over medium-high heat until it just barely starts to simmer. We’re warming wine here, not recreating Mount Vesuvius.
6. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Use this time to practice your “Oh, this old recipe? It’s just something I threw together” face.
7. Give it a taste. Need it sweeter? Add more honey. Want it spicier? Throw in another cinnamon stick. It’s your mulled wine party, and you’ll adjust if you want to.
8. Ladle into mugs, making sure each one gets at least one orange slice. It’s not just for flavor – it’s edible holiday decor!

And voila! You’ve just created a holiday miracle in less time than it takes to watch half an episode of your favorite sitcom.

It’s perfect for everything from tree-trimming parties to cozying up on the couch and pretending you’re in a Hallmark movie.

Pro tip: If you’re feeling extra festive (or just need to stretch that wine a bit further), add a splash of brandy or rum. I won’t tell if you don’t!

Remember, the beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. No oranges? Use lemon. Out of honey? Brown sugar works too. The only rule is there are no rules – except maybe don’t drink the whole pot yourself.

You could omit the Gran Gala and add it to each glass if you’d prefer but since everyone in my home loves any beverage that has a little-grown folks juice in it I add the Gran Gala to the pot.  Do not judge us!!

So there you have it, folks – your new secret weapon for holiday hosting, last-minute gifts (just bottle it up!), or turning a regular Tuesday into a festive occasion. Now go forth and mull with confidence! 🎉🍊✨

Now are ready to fill up your glass and snuggle by the fire

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ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY COCKTAILS

Best Mulled Wine Recipe

Traditional Hot Toddy Recipe

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