Mulled Wine

If you are looking for a holiday cocktail (aside from eggnog..), try spicing things up with mulled wine. Mulled wine is typically a red wine served warm and seasoned with cinnamon, vanilla pods, cloves, orange zest, and honey.

Mulled wine has its modern roots in Germany (gluhwein). It is also popular in France (vin chaud) and Italy (vin brulee). Adding spices and sugar was a way to make spoiled wine drinkable. But, please do not use spoiled wine if you are going to make this drink!

Recipe- Mulled Wine

3 bottles of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
3/4 cup of port (dessert wine) OR brandy
16 whole cloves (not ground cloves!)
6 cinnamon sticks
1 large orange, zested
juice of 1 orange
1/2-3/4 cup honey or sugar (optional)

Combine ingredients in a large pot over low heat. Bring to barely a simmer and let it heat for about 20 minutes. If it boils, you will boil the alcohol out. Serve warm.