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Quick Slow Cooker Mulled Wine with Orange & Star Anise

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This Quick Slow Cooker Mulled Wine with Orange and Star Anise is a cozy, aromatic drink that fills your home with the scent of a winter wonderland. It’s easy to assemble, perfect for entertaining, and completely customizable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (like Merlot, Zinfandel, or Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1/4 cup brandy or cognac (optional)
  • 3 whole star anise pods
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1 whole nutmeg, slightly cracked
  • 1 vanilla bean, split (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
  • Optional: 1 apple, sliced

Instructions

  1. Prep the spice pouch (2 minutes): Place the star anise pods, cinnamon sticks (broken in half), whole cloves, and cracked nutmeg in the center of a small piece of cheesecloth. Gather the edges and tie it securely with kitchen twine. If you don’t have cheesecloth, just toss the spices directly into the slow cooker.
  2. Slice the fruit (3 minutes): Wash the orange thoroughly. Slice it into rounds about 1/4-inch thick. If you’re using an apple, core it and slice it into thin wedges. Don’t peel the orange.
  3. Combine everything in the slow cooker (2 minutes): Pour the bottle of red wine into the slow cooker. Add the orange juice, honey (or maple syrup), and brandy if using. Drop in the spice pouch and the sliced oranges (and apples, if using). Give it a gentle stir to dissolve the honey.
  4. Cook on low for 2-3 hours (hands-off time): Set your slow cooker to low heat. Let it simmer gently for 2 to 3 hours. Do not let it boil. The wine is ready when it’s steaming hot and your whole kitchen smells like a holiday market.
  5. Taste and adjust (1 minute): Before serving, taste the mulled wine. Is it sweet enough? Add a little more honey. Too sweet? A squeeze of fresh lemon juice will brighten it right up. Want more spice? Let it steep for another 30 minutes.
  6. Serve and enjoy (2 minutes): Remove the spice pouch (discard it) and the orange slices (you can leave a few in for garnish). Ladle the warm mulled wine into mugs. Garnish each cup with a fresh orange slice and a whole star anise pod if you’re feeling fancy. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t boil the wine; high heat makes the alcohol evaporate and turns the spices bitter. Use whole spices, not ground, to avoid a cloudy, gritty texture. For a deeper flavor, toast the spices in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds before adding. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and reheated gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled wine, slow cooker, star anise, orange, winter drink, holiday, entertaining

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/quick-slow-cooker-mulled-wine-with-orange-and-star-anise/