Getting Warm With Mulled Wine

Holiday season is coming to its peak which makes it a great opportunity to enjoy some mulled wine. Just getting cozy on your couch with a glass of warm and spicy wine, what a wonderful way to get warm in winter and especially on New Year's eve.

Even though I don't make mulled wine often, I just drink wine straight most of the times, I love the citrus aroma and cinnamon taste it has, simply delightful!

Anyway, without further ado, let's make some.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle dry red wine ( I had Merlot);
• 1 orange, sliced;
• 6-8 whole cloves;
• 2-3 star anise;
• 2 cinnamon sticks;
• 3-4 allspice berries;
• half an apple, sliced;
• 1/4 cup brandy (optional);
• 2-4 tab spoons sugar or honey (optional).

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a simmer, make sure the wine doesn't start boiling or else it is going to make the alcohol evaporate, so cook it on a low heat for about 15-20 minutes.

Garnish:

• citrus slices;
• apple chunks;
• fresh cranberries;
• extra star anise;
• extra cinnamon sticks.

Serve your mulled wine warm and garnish with fruits and citrus or spices of your choice. I used some orange slices, apple chunks, cinnamon sticks and fresh cranberries for mine. It turned out pretty damn good if you ask me :D.