One of my favourite winter beverages is this easy and delicious mulled wine. It is perfect for winter entertaining, cozying up by the fire or let's face it, really any time. One bottle makes about 5 drinks and the recipe can be easily multiplied to make a larger batch.
Ingredients
1 (750 ml) bottle of dry wine (your choice of red or white, it doesn’t need to be anything fancy)
2 whole cinnamon sticks
3 star anise
6 whole cloves
1 orange, sliced
¼ to ½ c maple syrup (or sweetener of your choice)
Optional- 1 1/2 oz of brandy, triple sec or spiced rum
Additional fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, fresh and/or dried orange rounds for garnish
Directions
Combine wine, spices, orange, 1/4c maple syrup and a shot of alcohol (if using) in a pot and cook over medium-low heat until steaming but not boiling for 30 minutes to 1 hour. You want the wine to be warm enough that the spices infuse, but not so hot that the alcohol cooks away. Depending on your preferred sweetness, add more of the maple syrup, to taste.
Once you’re happy with the flavour, strain and serve. You can also keep this warm in a crock pot on the “keep warm” setting, again making sure that it doesn’t boil.
Optional- place cloves, cinnamon and star anise in a cheesecloth bundle prior to adding to the pot and remove when ready to serve.