Slow Cooker Mulled Cranberry Juice: The 4-Ingredient Holiday Bliss

There’s nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of slow cooker mulled cranberry juice on a chilly day. After years of perfecting spiced drinks, I can confidently say this is the easiest way to fill your home with holiday aromas while barely lifting a finger. Just toss everything in your slow cooker and let the magic happen!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless prep: Dump ingredients in the slow cooker – that’s it!
• Customizable sweetness: Add more or less honey depending on your taste
• Irresistible aroma: Your whole house will smell like holiday cheer
• Naturally vegan: A warm spiced drink everyone can enjoy

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Mulled Cranberry Juice

• 4 cups unsweetened cranberry juice (not cocktail)
• 1 orange, thinly sliced (leave peel on for extra flavor)
• 1 cinnamon stick (about 3 inches long)
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 star anise pods
• ¼ cup honey (optional – adjust to taste)

How to Make Slow Cooker Mulled Cranberry Juice

1. Combine all ingredients except honey in your slow cooker
2. Cook on LOW for 2 hours (don’t let it boil!)
3. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove spices and orange slices
4. Stir in honey now if using, then serve warm in mugs

Expert Tips for the Best Results

After making this for every holiday gathering since 2015, here’s what I’ve learned:

• Fresh spices matter: That dusty cinnamon stick from 2012 won’t give you the same bold flavor
• Time adjustment: Like stronger spice flavor? Let it steep up to 3 hours
• Party trick: Double the batch – it disappears fast at gatherings!

Common Questions Answered

Can I use frozen cranberries?
No – you need cranberry juice for this recipe. The frozen berries won’t break down properly in the slow cooker.

How long does it keep?
About 3 days refrigerated in an airtight container. The spices get stronger over time!

Can I make it alcohol-free?
Absolutely! This is naturally non-alcoholic – just warm, spiced comfort in a mug.

Serving Suggestions

Pair with gingerbread cookies or serve in clear mugs with fresh orange slices. Perfect for holiday parties when you want something festive but easy!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Store cooled juice in airtight containers
• Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave
• Try not to reheat more than twice for best flavor

Nutritional Information

*Nutritional values are estimates and vary based on ingredients.

• Calories: 120 per cup
• Sugar: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 32g

Rate This Recipe

Did you try this slow cooker mulled cranberry juice? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a star rating below and tell me about your experience in the comments.

Slow Cooker Mulled Cranberry Juice

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A warm and spiced cranberry juice perfect for cold days.

• Author: Cole Bennett
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours 5 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Beverage
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups cranberry juice
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 star anise
• 1/4 cup honey (optional)

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Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 2 hours.
3. Strain before serving.
4. Serve warm.

Notes

• Adjust sweetness with more or less honey.
• Can be refrigerated and reheated.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 10mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg