An easy, delicious, mulled wine recipe with no added sugar that can be made in the slow cooker or on the stove.

Every time December rolls around, I get all wanderlusty and daydream of dashing off to Paris, Germany, or Italy to wander through the Christmas markets. I'd be ice skating, sampling macarons, and of course warming up with a cup of mulled wine. Mulled wine is a warm beverage with cozy spices like cinnamon and cloves. It's perfect for serving at holiday parties, but quick and easy enough to enjoy in your snuggled up on the couch. 

Have you seen anything as charming as this German Christmas market (stock image)? While jetting off to Europe is not in the cards this Christmas, making mulled wine at home is. Like it's cousin, mulled cider, mulled wine fills the house with the warm scent of holiday spices. You can make mulled wine on the stove or pour all the ingredients into a slow cooker and keep on warm. With the slow cooker method, the mulled wine will stay warm and be ready at any time. Mulled wine always gets me in the holiday spirit and is so much more festive than a plain glass of wine. After a little research I found out that mulled wine was created by the Romans in the 2nd century. Another account said it was created in Greece and then the idea spread to the Romans. They drank warm wine to warm up in the winter. Others in Europe soon started adding spices to their warm winter wine for the health benefits and to make wine taste better. Mulled wine also became very popular in Sweden, where it is called Glogg. In Italy mulled wine is known as Vin Brule. Warm mulled wine is still hugely popular all over Europe and in the U.S. during the holidays. 

Mulled wine is similar to mulled apple cider, also very popular during the holidays. I realized that instead of adding all the various spices to the wine, I could take a little shortcut by adding a few cups of natural spiced apple cider to the mix. While many mulled wine recipes call for added sugar or honey, I love to add just a hint of natural sweetness with the apple cider. Pour the remaining apple cider into a small saucepan on the stove for any children or friends who would prefer a non-alchaholic beverage.

While we are on the topic of wine, I have to share a new wine book with you. This is the best gift for any wine lover. How to Drink Like a Billionaire (Amazon affiliate link) is a new book from our friend Mark Oldman. I have learned so much from this humorous and entertaining book and I really want to saber a bottle of champagne on New Year's. Okay, that's definitely not going to be happening. A few of my favorite tips from the book include how to choose a less expensive Champagne substitute, and how to eat Biscotti with Vin Santo wine.

Be sure to pin and print the recipe for all your holiday entertaining needs.  As always, drink responsibly and never drink and drive. Sending you big cozy mulled wine holiday wishes.

Easy Mulled Wine Recipe

PRINTER FRIENDLY RECIPE
By yummy mummy kitchen
Published 12/08/2016

An easy and festive mulled wine recipe without any added sweeteners. You can make this recipe in the slow cooker or on the stove.

Ingredients

• 1 (750 ml.) bottle red wine
• 3 cups spiced apple cider (natural with no added sweeteners)
• 1 apple, sliced into thin rounds
• 1 orange, sliced into thin rounds
• 2 cinnamon sticks

Instructions

1. Pour wine into a pot over low heat. Simmer 10 minutes and pour into mugs.
2. To make in the slow cooker, add all ingredients to the slow cooker and set on low or warm until ready to enjoy.

Yield: Serves about 8
Prep Time: 5 mins.

Cook time: 10 mins.
Total time: 15 mins.
Tags: fall, winter, Christmas, French, wine