Mulled Wine

Image: 16 ounce glass mug filled with a warm spiced wine and garnisehed orange slices, star anise, and cinnamon stick.

Description: I had my first taste of spiced mulled wine a couple of year ago. It quickly became one of my favorite fall warm drinks and I make it at least once every fall season!

Yield: Recipe makes 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle (750 ml = roughly 3 cups) of dry red wine (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir or Malbec)

• 1/2 cup Brandy

• 1/3 cup Raw Honey or Raw Agave (or your desired sweetener)

• 1 orange, zested, then peeled and sliced into rings

• 4 tablespoons mulling spice

• 4 cinnamon sticks

• 2 star anise pods

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves

• ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg

• Garnishes: orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a slow cooker or a big stock pot on low heat. Stir to combine.

Simmer the mulled wine on low for 2 hours & 45 minutes in the crock pot or for 45 minutes in the stock pot on the stove, stirring occasionally. Make sure not to boil the wine or you will end up cooking out the alcohol.

Add the brandy, and continue on low for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature of slow cooker or pot to the lowest setting setting to keep warm while serving or turn off if warm setting is not available.

Using a fine mesh strainer, remove and discard the orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Give the mulled wine a taste, and stir in extra sweetener if needed.

Serve warm in mug garnished with an orange slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise.