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Christmas Spiced Mulled Wine

Christmas spiced mulled wine is gently warmed with orange, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise for a fragrant, warmly spiced drink. Keep it below a simmer so the wine stays steaming and the citrus and spices can steep without boiling.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Steeping 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: European
Calories: 125
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bottle (25 oz) dry red wine
  • 0.25 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 orange medium, thinly sliced
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 cloves whole
  • 2 star anise whole

Equipment

  • 1 3-quart saucepan
  • 1 heatproof pitcher

Method
 

  1. Pour the wine into a 3-quart saucepan.
  2. Stir in the brown sugar until it begins to dissolve.
  3. Add the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.
  4. Warm over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until steaming; do not let the wine simmer or boil.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
  6. Let the wine steep for 10 minutes.
  7. Strain into a heatproof pitcher.
  8. Serve warm.

Notes

For the best flavor, keep the wine steaming but never let it simmer or boil. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days; reheat gently. Freezing is not recommended. For an alcohol-free variation, use red grape juice in place of wine and adjust the sugar to taste.