Making mulled wine

It is currently cold in Europe and North America. In some places it is so cold it is freezing or snowing. Mulled wine is a perfect comfort drink on these cold nights or if you want to generate a festive atmosphere.

In fact mulled wine is not just a festive drink but also one with a long history.

It is a long consumed drink. In some iterations it is a cold beverage. in others it is a hot drink. In out version we are making a hot mulled wine but you could make this and let it cool before drinking.

For the demonstrated recipe you will need:

Red wine
Cinnamon sticks
Star anise
Cloves
Oranges
Sugar or honey

You will need the following equipment:

A large pot
A strainer
A glass or pitcher

Method:

Add your wine to a large pot and begin to gently heat.
While thew wine heats adds the herbs and spices to a mortar and pestle or any other method to crush.
Once the herbs and spices are crushed add these to the warming wine.
Slice an orange into rings and add these to the warming wine.
Continue to heat for up to an hour but do not let the wine boil.
Inf act avoid heating the wine too much by keeping it below 70 degrees Celsius.
One it has been heated for an hour add your sugar or honey.
Strain the mulled wine through a sieve or strainer to remove herbs and spices.
The mulled wine can be served as is for a warm drink or left to cool.