Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Easy to make and festive with warm, fragrant spices, this Mulled Wine will be your favorite holiday cocktail!

It's the most wonderful time of the year.... right?

I am really trying to focus on gratitude and giving back rather than getting caught up in the hustle and bustle craziness of the season.

It's not easy and some days are easier than others, but I feel strongly about.  There have been way too many years where I was so stressed with shopping and everything else that I wasn't allowed to enjoy it.

My kids are getting older and I am certainly not getting any younger...

I am sure many of you parents can relate to what I am saying.

Trying to be "present" during the holidays is not always easy when you have kids. You love their excitement and energy, but it truly is exhausting.

That's why we all need some not so gentle reminders sometimes.

This is one of them.

I decided to make this Mulled Wine last Saturday night, enjoy my Christmas decorations and my semi-quiet house with my husband (while the kids were watching a Christmas movie), and relaxed.  

It was magical.  I knew I had to put away laundry and clean my house, but instead I opted for the couch and some of this mulled wine.  

I am SO glad that I did!

Why don't I do that more often? Why do us parents always feel guilty for taking time for ourselves?

I have no clue why but we all need to stop.

Taking time to ourselves and just sit and relax helps us recharge. Everyone needs a break.

Yes, even moms and dads.

And aren't they so pretty??

Their presentation is so gorgeous  and these are perfect for your holiday gathering or party.

I mean, who wouldn't want to sip on one of these beauties?

Even if you don't use the orange slices or cinnamon sticks (if you don't have them) simple use the leftover cranberries to serve to float in each glass.

They just look so pretty!

I found this juice in grocery store and was intrigued.  I love cranberries and pomegranates so why not try it?  

To be honest, it sounded so good that it inspired me to make some sort of holiday cocktail with it and I remembered seeing this recipe for Mulled Wine from Bon Appetit and decided to make my own!

I was not compensated by R.W. Knudsen for this recipe, I just love their juices!

I liked the fact that this juice is organic and there is no added sugar. Especially during the holidays, who the heck needs more sugar?

Not me!

Side note: The rosemary sprigs are purely garnish because they look like Christmas tree branches, but they added a wonderful, woody, herbal, fun twist.

The beauty of this is you just add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker, cook on low for 60 minutes and serve it warm.

Red wine should always be served at room temperature anyway, but this is slightly warm. And ridiculously cozy.

The cranberries are so pretty and festive too.

Then, simply drain out everything over a big bowl or pitcher and serve the reserved wine mixture.

I told you it was easy! Now I just need a fireplace and a blizzard and I am good to go.  

Ok, maybe just a fireplace... I love snow but I hate driving in it.

Who's with me?

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

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Course: cocktail

Author: Lauren Kelly

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 bottle red wine I used Cabernet Sauvignon
• ▢ ¼ cup coconut sugar
• ▢ 1 3 inch piece of ginger chopped
• ▢ 1 cup Cranberry Pomegranate Juice
• ▢ 1 cup cranberries
• ▢ ½ pomegranate seeds
• ▢ 2 star anise
• ▢ 2-3 cinnamon sticks
• ▢ 2 cloves
• ▢ zest of one orange
• ▢ orange slices cinnamon sticks, cranberries and pomegranates for garnish

Instructions

• Place all of the ingredients in the slow cooker.
• Mix well.
• Place on low for 60 minutes.
• Place a fine mesh colander over a bowl or pitcher, making sure to drain out all of the add-ins.
• Pour into a glass and top with garnish.

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Cheers to the holidays! And living a life of gratitude and peace (or at least trying really hard!)

What are some of your favorite holiday cocktails? Please share with me as I love to hear from you.