Mulled Wine
Ingredients:- 10 cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1⁄4 cup caster sugar
- 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger, or 2 tsp of ground ginger (you can also use allspice as a substitute)
- 1 cup water
- 1 bottle of red wine (I used a cheap Merlot but you could also use a Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 1⁄4 cup of brandy (optional)
Method:
1. Peel the orange, cut into rounds, and set the peel aside.
2. Pour the wine into a large pot or crockpot and place on a low heat.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir slowly.
4. Finely grate a teaspoon or so of the orange peel zest and add this to the mixture.
5. Turn the element to a medium heat, but take care not to boil it. Stir occasionally until all of the sugar has dissolved.
6. When the wine is steaming and the ingredients have been well blended it is ready to drink. Strain the wine into mugs or glasses and sip in the taste of winter and European Christmases. Enjoy!
Mulled Cider
Ingredients:- 2 litres of apple cider
- 6 cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (you can also use honey as a substitute)
- 1 orange
- 1 lemon
- 1⁄2 cup dark rum (optional)
Method:
1. Peel the orange and lemon, set the peel aside, and squeeze the juice into a large pot or crockpot.
2. Pour in the cider and add the rest of the ingredients and place on a low heat.
3. Finely grate the zest of the orange and lemon peel into the mixture and stir.
4. Turn the element to a medium heat and stir occasionally until all of the sugar has dissolved.
5. Strain and serve into mugs. Marvel at how distinguished you feel. Enjoy!