3 Ways to Heat Mulled Wine at Home (Stove, Microwave & Slow Cooker)
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What's the magic formula? Red wine plus spices and fruit. Add a little heat and voilà — the magic of mulled.
Heating the wine is an essential part of the mulling experience, and the good news is there are a few ways to do it depending on your situation. Looking for a quick single glass? The microwave is your best bet. Heating a whole bottle or throwing a mulled wine party? The stovetop or slow cooker is the way to go.
Here are the three best methods:
- Stove
- Microwave
- Slow Cooker
1. Heating on the Stove
The stovetop is the classic way to heat your mulled beverage. It provides a rich infusion of flavour whilst lightly simmering your wine or cider to the perfect temperature. You can heat a single mug's worth or an entire bottle — either way, it's just as good.
Step 1. Put a pot on the stove at low-medium heat. Add 4 spiced bags for every bottle of red wine (750ml), or 1 spiced bag per mug's worth. You can find our Mulled Wine Spiced Bags and Mulled Cider Spiced Bags in our online store.
Step 2. Lightly simmer for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally to infuse the flavours. Be careful not to boil — boiling drives off the alcohol and can make the wine bitter.
Step 3. Pour into your mugs and enjoy!
2. Heating in the Microwave
The microwave is a quick and convenient way to heat your mulled beverage. If you only want 1 or 2 mugs, it's a lot easier than monitoring a pot on the stove.
Step 1. Pour 250ml of your wine or apple cider into a microwave-safe cup or mug.
Step 2. Add a spiced bag to the mug. For more intense spice flavour, add the bag before heating. For a more subtle flavour, stir it in after heating.
Step 3. Microwave for 60–90 seconds. The exact time depends on the wattage of your microwave — test at 30-second intervals to make sure you're simmering, not boiling.
Step 4. Stir the spiced bag around to infuse the flavours. You'll be tempted to sip straight away — but give it a moment to settle. This lets the vapours calm down and saves you from burning your mouth!
Step 5. Drink and enjoy! By a fire, with friends, watching your favourite movie, on a cosy Friday night while it's cold outside — it's entirely up to you.
3. Heating in a Slow Cooker
This is our personal favourite for entertaining. Mulled wine parties have been taking centre stage around winter for decades — and the slow cooker makes hosting effortless.
Step 1. Add your wine or cider to the slow cooker. Throw in 4 spiced bags for every bottle (750ml), or 1 bag per mug's worth.
Step 2. Turn the slow cooker onto low-medium and simmer for 30 minutes.
Step 3. When ready to serve, keep the slow cooker on low to stay warm all evening.
Step 4. Pour your warm mulled beverage into mugs and enjoy!
Tip: The slow cooker is perfect for a self-serve mulled wine station at a party — guests can help themselves all night while it stays perfectly warm without any effort from you.
Bonus: Over a Campfire
For the adventurous — there's nothing quite like warming a kettle of mulled wine over a roaring campfire. Use the same quantities as the stovetop method, keep the heat gentle, and enjoy the most atmospheric mulled wine experience possible.
So there you have it! Whether it's a quick mug after a long day or a spectacular mulled wine party with friends and family — the perfect mulled beverage is just a little heat away.
Browse our full range of mulled wine and cider spice kits and find your blend.
Share your mulled moments with us on Instagram @mulledbeverages