Author: Kris Lodhi

Mulled wine is a cozy and delicious fall drink to offer guests when they come to visit. This recipe is incredibly easy to make on the stovetop (or simmer it in the slow cooker). It is easy to change the flavor by adding your favorite spices. This will make 4-6 cups

INGREDIENTS

• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds (peeled, if you would like a less-bitter drink)
• 8 whole cloves
• 5-8 Allspice berries
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise
• 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar, honey, or maple syrup to taste (or your desired sweetener)
• 1 orange for garnish

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and give it a stir.

Simmer heat until the wine just barely reaches a simmer over medium heat. (Avoid letting it bubble in any way, you don’t want to boil off the alcohol.)  Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours. Really the longer it sits with the spices the more cinnamon, allspice, clove you will taste. So you can remove the spices with a strainer when it reaches the right flavor for you. Then replace it back in your pan to keep warm.

Extra liqueur (optional): Spike your mulled wine with an extra bit of liqueur, if you’d like. I like to add a bit of brandy, bourbon, or cognac. This can be done when serving.

Serve: Serve warm in a heatproof mug or glass and garnish with a slice of orange and cinnamon stick.