Recipe: How to make delicious Mulled Wine

Embrace the warmth of the season with our delightful mulled wine recipe, a comforting elixir that beckons with its aromatic spices and rich, fruity notes and it is very quick to make.

Ingredients:

1 bottle (750 ml) of red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Shiraz)
1 orange, sliced
8 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
1/4 cup honey or syrup (adjust to taste)
1/4 cup brandy or rum (optional)
Orange slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Pour the red wine into a large saucepan or pot.

Add the orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise to the pot.

Stir in the honey or maple syrup. Adjust the sweetness to your preference.

If using, add the brandy or rum to the pot for an extra kick.

Heat the mixture over medium-low heat. Be careful not to boil, as boiling can cause the alcohol to evaporate.

Once heated through, reduce the heat to low and let the mulled wine simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together.

After simmering, remove the pot from the heat.

Strain the mulled wine to remove the spices and orange slices. You can use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for this step.

Ladle the mulled wine into mugs or heatproof glasses.

Garnish each mug with a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick, if desired.

Serve hot and enjoy your delicious homemade mulled wine!

Feel free to adjust the ingredients according to your taste preferences. You can also add other spices like nutmeg or ginger for extra flavour. If this is a little sweet, add a little bit of lemon juice to balance out the taste. And remember, while brandy or rum adds depth to the mulled wine, you can leave this out if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.