Gluhwein / Mulled Wine

I was peering down our tag list and noticed that we only have one recipe for DRINKS and I reckon that needs to be rectified.

I know that this one is now out of season but it can be carefully filed away for next year!

I think one of the most Christmassy places I have ever been to is Munich. It’s cold but not unbearable, the city is garlanded with the most fantastic lights and decorations and in the main square they have one of the world’s best Christmas markets. They have stalls selling all sorts of stunning Christmas decorations, candles, sweeties, trays and trays of that incredible German cake Stollen which I utterly adore, and best of all stalls selling glasses (not plastic cups you hear, glasses) of spicy, sweet, hot mulled wine. The whole market smells of cinnamon, cloves, allspice and wine. Heavenly.

Ingredients:

1 bottle of cheap red wine
100ml brandy
4 tsp orange zest
100ml orange juice
16 cloves
2cm square of fresh ginger, peeled
2 sticks of cinnamon
2 whole cardamom pods
1 star anise
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp cointreau or Grand Marnier (optional)

Combine all the ingredients into a large saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Do not boil. Allow to simmer very gently for about 15 mins or so and then pour into glasses with slices of lemon and orange if you like.

Salute!