Last updated 9 November 2020
While summer is reigning in the northern hemisphere, it has been somewhat colder here in the south. To liven things up a little and draw our friends from their homes, we hosted a midwinter dinner. A last minute (but very welcome) addition was mulled wine.
My recipe is closer to the German glühwein than the traditional British mulled wine, and has always been received very favourably.
1 orange, sliced
Peel of 1 lemon
2 tbsp of caster sugar (more to taste)
6 whole cloves
1 stick cinnamon
1 tsp dried juniper berries
Spiced rum (to taste, I use about a tablespoon)
1 vanilla pod / 1 tsp pure vanilla essence
2 star anise
1 bottle red wine
Gently heat the wine in a saucepan with the all of the ingredients apart from the rum.
Leave on a low heat for about 15 minutes, but don’t allow to boil.
Add the rum, and more sugar if needed.
If it tastes a bit acidic add a pinch of baking soda – more sugar or honey won’t help!
Strain and serve warm.