Mulled Wine
A dry red wine warmed gently with orange,cinnamon, star anise, and cloves, kept below a boil so the flavor stays smooth,then held warm in a slow cooker so it's ready to serve all night.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 ml) dry, mid-body red wine
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds, plus extra for garnish
- 3 whole cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole star anise pods
- 8 whole cloves
- ⅓ cup honey (or 1/4 cup packed brown sugar)
- ¼ cup brandy, optional
Instructions
- Combine the wine, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves in a saucepan.
- Warm over medium-low heat until steam rises and small bubbles form at the edge of the pan.
- Reduce heat to low, partially cover, and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not let it boil.
- Stir in the honey a little at a time, tasting as you go.
- Stir in the brandy at the end, if using.
- Strain out the solids, or leave them in if serving straight from the pot.
- Ladle into mugs and garnish with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick.
Notes
For a party, transfer to a slow cooker after simmering. Heat on low for the first hour, then switch to the warm setting to hold for serving without reducing the flavor.