Mulled wine is a traditional warm drink enjoyed during the winter months, especially around the holidays. To make the best mulled wine, you need to balance the spices, sweetness, and the quality of the wine. Here’s a simple guide to create a delightful, aromatic, and cozy mulled wine.

Ingredients:

– 1 bottle of red wine (750 ml)

– 1/4 cup of brandy (optional but recommended)

– 1 orange, sliced into rounds (plus more for garnish)

– 1/4 cup of honey or sugar

– 8 whole cloves

– 2 cinnamon sticks

– 2 star anise

– Additional spices (such as cardamom pods or nutmeg), to taste

Instructions:

1. Choose Your Wine: Start with a bottle of good quality red wine. You don’t have to splurge on an expensive bottle since you’ll be adding spices, but a decent medium-bodied red like Merlot or Zinfandel works best.

2. Combine Ingredients: In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the wine with sliced orange rounds, cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and any additional spices you prefer. If you want your mulled wine to have an extra kick and depth of flavor, add a quarter-cup of brandy.

3. Sweeten It Up: Sweeten the mixture with honey or sugar. Begin with a quarter-cup and adjust according to taste preference.

4. Heat Gently: Slowly heat the mixture on low to medium heat until it is steaming but not simmering – reaching boiling point can cause alcohol to evaporate and flavors to become too muted.

5. Steep The Flavors: Allow the spices to steep in the pot for at least 15 minutes up to an hour so that their flavors fully infuse the wine. The longer you let it mull, the more pronounced the spiced flavor will be.

6. Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste your mulled wine and adjust sweetness if necessary.

7. Serve Warm: Once your mulled wine has reached the desired flavor intensity, strain out the spices and orange slices. Serve warm in heatproof glasses or mugs garnished with an orange round and a cinnamon stick.

8. Store Properly: If you have leftover mulled wine, let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Gently reheat before serving again.

Enjoying mulled wine is about finding that perfect blend of fruitiness from the wine and zest from the spices that evoke warmth and comfort during chilly nights!