If you have an Instant Pot, it's likely the workhorse of your kitchen. This versatile pressure cooker can make everything from grains, legumes, soups, cakes and more. For those who want to get extra creative (and festive), you can even make mulled wine in your Instant Pot.
Mulled wine is also known as spiced wine, and it's an alcoholic drink made with wine and spices like cinnamon, anise seed and cloves. It can be enjoyed warm or hot. Below, Sarah Buksa, a professional bartender at La Brasa in Somerville, Massachusetts, shares her method for making mulled wine in an Instant Pot.
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Things You'll Need
1 750-ml bottle of bold red wine
1/2 cup brandy
1 apple, thinly sliced
1 orange, thinly sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
3 cloves
1/2 tsp whole allspice berries
1/2 tsp whole black peppercorns
3 tbsp brown sugar
6 oz preferred liquor, divided (optional)
Fine mesh sieve
Serving glasses
Instant Pot
Step 1: Prep the Instant Pot
When using a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot, it's important to handle the appliance safely. Ensure the unit is turned off and unplugged. Then, place the inner pot inside the main unit. Ingredients should never be placed directly into the main unit.
While modern pressure cookers are much safer than the models used many years ago, according to the Exploratorium, you should still handle them with care.
Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Inner Pot
With the inner pot placed in the main unit, add all ingredients except the optional preferred liquor. Place the lid on the pressure cooker and lock the lid. Turn on the Instant Pot. Turn the valve to "sealing" to allow the unit to come to pressure.
Step 3: Cook on High
Set the cooking time to 3 minutes and cook the ingredients on high pressure. The unit will beep when the 3 minutes have ended.
Step 4: Release the Pressure
After 3 minutes, it's time to release the pressure from the Instant Pot. You can let the pressure come down, which could take several minutes. A faster option Buksa recommends is completing a quick release of pressure. This involves turning the seal to "venting" to allow hot air to escape. This method should be used as a last resort since it's not recommended for recipes with high volumes of liquid, according to Mississippi State University.
Before opening the lid, you should always ensure the pressure is fully released, according to Utah State University.
Step 5: Strain the Mulled Wine
Use a fine-mesh sieve to separate the mulled wine from the solid ingredients. Set the fruit and spices aside for later use and return the mulled wine to the Instant Pot.
Step 6: Use 'Keep Warm' Function
The Instant Pot has a "keep warm" function that comes in handy for preventing your recipes from cooling down. Use this mode to have warm mulled wine ready all night.
Step 7: Serve, Garnish and Enjoy
To serve, ladle approximately 4 ounces of warm mulled wine into serving glasses. Adding 1 1/2 ounce of your preferred liquor to each glass is optional. Garnish with the spices and fruit that were previously separated from the mulled wine, like an orange slice and a cinnamon stick. Enjoy!