Q1: What is the absolute best red wine to use for mulled wine?

The best red wines for mulled wine are fruity, full-bodied, and inexpensive . You want a wine with a bold flavor that can stand up to the spices, but you don't need to use a fancy, expensive bottle, as its subtle nuances will be lost. Excellent, budget-friendly choices include Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, or a Garnacha (Grenache) .

Q2: Will all the alcohol cook out of this recipe?

No. This recipe is specifically designed to preserve the alcohol content . By infusing the spices in the non-alcoholic cider first, and then only gently warming the wine and port without ever letting them boil, you ensure that your final mulled wine has a lovely, warm kick.

Q3: Can I make this mulled wine in a slow cooker instead of an Instant Pot?

Yes, this is a perfect recipe for a slow cooker! To adapt it, simply combine all the ingredients—the cider, all the spices, the wines, and the fruit—into your slow cooker. Cook on the Low setting for at least 2-3 hours to allow the flavors to infuse. Then, you can turn it to the "Keep Warm" setting for serving.

Q4: What is the difference between mulled wine and sangria?

While both are wine-based party drinks with fruit, the main difference is the temperature and the flavor profile. Mulled wine is served hot , and its primary flavors are warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. Sangria is served cold , over ice, and its primary flavors are bright, fresh fruits, often with a citrusy kick.

Q5: Can I use ground spices instead of whole spices?

It is highly recommended to use whole spices (cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, etc.). If you use ground spices, they will not strain out of the cider, and your final mulled wine will be cloudy and have a gritty, unpleasant texture. Whole spices infuse a beautiful, clean flavor into the drink.

The Best Quick & Easy Instant Pot Mulled Wine

A quick and easy recipe for a large batch of mulled wine using an Instant Pot. The method starts by rapidly infusing apple cider with whole spices like cloves, cinnamon sticks, and allspice using the pressure cook function. The spiced cider is then strained, and dry red wine, port, and fresh slices of clementine and apple are added. The entire mixture is gently warmed using the sauté function and can be held on the ‘keep warm’ setting for easy serving, making it perfect for parties.

Author: Evelyn
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes (includes pressure building/release)
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 12-16 servings 1x
Category: Beverage
Method: Pressure Cooking
Cuisine: European
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups apple cider
5 whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
1/2 teaspoon whole allspice berries
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
Two 750-milliliter bottles dry red wine
2 cups tawny port
2 clementines, thinly sliced, seeds removed
2 apples, thinly sliced, seeds removed

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Instructions

Add the apple cider, cloves, cinnamon sticks, allspice, and peppercorns to a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot®.
Follow the manufacturer’s guide for locking the lid. Set to pressure cook on high for 3 minutes.
After the pressure cook cycle is complete, perform a quick pressure release according to the manufacturer’s guide.
Carefully remove the lid and strain the spiced cider through a sieve, discarding the whole spices. Return the cider to the pot.
Set the Instant Pot® to the high sauté setting. Add the red wine, port, and half of the clementine and apple slices to the pot.
Cover with a glass lid and cook for about 5 minutes, until the wine is warmed through. Be careful not to let it boil.
Set the pot to the ‘keep warm’ function. Garnish the mulled wine with the remaining clementine and apple slices before serving.

Notes

Special Equipment: A 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot® is required for this recipe.
Using the pressure cooker function is a key step to quickly infuse the apple cider with the spice flavors.
It is important not to boil the wine, as this will cook off the alcohol and can negatively affect the flavor.
The ‘keep warm’ setting on the Instant Pot is perfect for serving this drink at a party.
The article references a ‘Cook’s Note’ that is not included in the provided text.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 6 oz)
Calories: 200-250
Sugar: 20-28 g
Sodium: 15-25 mg
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 25-32 g
Fiber: 1-2 g
Protein: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/instant-pot-mulled-wine/