Classic Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is a holiday have-to. Just be sure to use a red wine you’d want to drink on its own.

• 1 bottle red wine (we used Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 wide strips of orange zest
• 2 wide strips of lemon zest
• 4 cardamom pods
• 3 cloves
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
• 1 mandarin orange, lemon and apple, sliced

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour 1/2 cup red wine and the brown sugar in a medium-sized pot, and bring it to a boil, stirring constantly.
2. Reduce the heat to low, add the orange zest, lemon zest and spices.
3. Let simmer 5 minutes.
4. Next, add the remaining wine, followed by the brandy, ginger, orange slices and lemon slices.
5. Allow the mixture to simmer (not boil) for 20 minutes, add the apple slices, simmer 5 more minutes and serve.