How to Make a Hot Mulled Drink

I decided tonight that Thanksgiving simply won’t be Thanksgiving without a signature cocktail. A mulled drink, to be exact.

Do I sound like I’m going overboard? I usually go overboard. 

I can mix up a respectable martini every now and again, but haven’t really dabbled in the mulled drink arena. A mulled drink is a general term for a type of cocktail — kind of like the ingredients in a martini can vary based on where you are — but in general, mulled drinks are a combination of wine, juice, liquor and herbs heated until they become fragrant. Like with steeping tea, the longer you simmer your beverage the more flavorful it will be.

I’m thinking about firing up one of my slow cookers and making some sort of mulled cider, wine or toddy, but the problem with these recipes is that they’re usually way too sweet to consume more than half a glass. Which, while very responsible for designated drivers, is not practical if you’re making a batch cocktail for six people.

My point here is that I am letting the Internet tell me what to do with my toddy goals this year and I found a super helpful chart all about how to make a hot mulled drink ten ways.

For these recipes and more click here, or grab one of these ten festive recipes below to whip up at your holiday fete.

Hot Buttered Bourbon

Yes, this is exactly what it sounds like. A twist on classic hot buttered rum, spiced butter and apple cider make this hot toddy the perfect winter warmer.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Orange Mulled Wine

Make the most out of leftover oranges or cranberries with this ‘set it and forget it’ mulled wine recipe.

Spiked & Spicy Hot Chocolate

A little bit of cayenne pepper and a splash of spiced rum make this one serious hot chocolate for grown-ups.

Warm Caramel Apple Martini

I’m not sure how one would batch these for a group, but you could just make a warm caramel apple martini for yourself and not share.

Glühwein (German Mulled Wine)

If you can’t make it to a German Christmas market this year, make the German Christmas market come to you with a cozy and comforting hot spiced wine recipe.

Apple Cider Hot Toddy

A traditional winter hot toddy spiced with apple cider, served warm, strong and with an extra kick from the whiskey.

Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

If I made this salted caramel hot chocolate in my slow cooker, I’d probably take it to city hall and try to legally marry it, it sounds so good. What? You don’t recommend that?

Mulled White Wine

All the perks of mulled red wine, but less risk of spilling on your white carpet. Mulled white wine is definitely the way to go for a party.

Mulled Blackberry Wine

Are you noticing what I’m noticing here? People like to mull their wine.

Hot Mulled Apple Cider Sangria

When in doubt, make hot mulled apple cider sangria.

Wassail Cocktail

If you love ginger and you love bourbon, then Wassail is the holiday cocktail for you. According to The Seasonal Cocktail Companion, “wassailing” is an Old English tradition with pagan roots that celebrates the fall harvest. The more you know, huh?