Mulled Wine
Mulled Wine is a warm winter drink made with red wine and flavourful spices. It is made during Christmas and cold winter months. It is known by different names all over Europe. For instance, in Germany it is called Gluhwein. In Sweden, it  called Glog and in Russia, it is called glintvein. It is a popular drink served at open Christmas markets, everywhere. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRFp9ialo3I
Servings: 8 yield(s)
Ingredients
  • bottle dry red wine (750 ml)
  • orange (including peel)
  • 1 lemon (including peel1/)
  • 8 to 10 cloves
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 star anise
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar (or honey/maple syrup)
  • 2 Bay leaf
  • a few pinches of ground nutmeg
  • 2 tsp. pure vanilla essence
Instructions
  1. Combine 1/4 bottle of the red wine along with sliced oranges, lemon, powdered sugar/honey and all of the whole spices (cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise) in a heavy bottomed sauce pan.
  2. Heat this mixture until it comes to a simmer over medium high heat.
  3. Then pour in the rest of the wine and reduce the heat to low and let simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. Strain the wine using a fine mesh strainer and serve the wine in heat proof mugs. Garnish with fresh orange/lemon slices if desired.
Recipe Notes

There is no need to use expensive wines. Shiraz or Zindafel would make a good base for mulling.