Honey Orange Mulled Wine

Sweet and spicy warm red wine is the perfect thing to share and enjoy during the Holidays!

You will need:

• 1 750 ml bottle inexpensive red wine
• 1 orange, zested and juiced
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 8-10 whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

• Brandy (optional)
• Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Prep time 10 minutes, serve 2-4.

1. With a peeler or sharp knife, remove zest from orange in one large piece (or a few large pieces), no bitter white pith should remain.  Squeeze the juice of the orange into a medium-sized sauce pan and add the orange peel.
2. Add sugar, honey, cloves and powdered spices to the pan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.  Simmer while stirring until mixture starts to thicken and reaches a syrup-like stage.
3. Slowly stir in wine and heat liquid over a low flame until hot, but do not bring to a simmer.  Do not overheat (or the alcohol will burn off),  just warm the liquid until it’s steaming and toasty enough to drink.
4. Strain and serve in glass mugs with a cinnamon stick and a float of brandy,  if you like that sort of thing.  Enjoy!