winter warmer recipe: Spiced Mulled Wine

No winter gathering is complete without a steaming mug of mulled wine. Warm red wine infused with cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel creates a festive drink that's sure to chase away the winter chill.

This is for about 4 people so double, triple or quadruple the recipe as required

Ingredients

1 bottle of red wine

2 oranges

100g caster sugar

3 cloves

2 bay leaves

1 cinnamon stick

1 whole nutmeg ( 6 good gratings)

1 star anise

1 vanilla pod, cut in half

Method

In a heavy based pot add the sugar.

Peel the 4 large pieces of orange peel leaving as much of the bitter pith behind as you can.

Add the peel and squeeze the orange juice into the pot with the sugar, Add the spices, bay leaves and the vanilla pod

Add a slash of red wine, just enough to wet the sugar and then cook on medium heat to infuse the aromatics and dissolve the sugar.

Add the remaining wine, bring to the simmer and serve to start the good times!