So winter is approaching and that means you need to warm up on those chilly nights. My favorite way is to crack out the mulled wine. This is the recipe I have been developing and refining for the last few years. It is also a way to make cheap wine taste good.
Ingredients
12 Whole Cloves
1 long cinnamon stick, snapped in two or three pieces
1/4 cup of sugar (raw, white or caster will all work)
1 whole nutmeg, roughly crushed with a knife
500ml water
Rind of 1 orange, grated or peeled and chopped
Juice of the above mentioned orange
1 apple, skin on, roughly chopped, not cored
1 bottle of red wine, I prefer shiraz or merlot,
Combine all the ingredients except the wine in a saucepan, bring to the boil and then simmer uncovered for 15-20 mins, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat to the lowest setting and then add the wine. Allow it to heat up to a very gentle simmer while covered. How long you simmer it for is up to you (see tips).
Since I can't drink it all at once, I bottle it in a resealable bottle (see below) and reheat when I want to drink. Reheating in the microwave works fine. It lasts about 2 weeks if kept in the fridge.
TIPS
Longer simmering times will create a smoother and richer taste but will reduce the taste of the wine. Short simmer times will maintain the taste of the wine.
The longest I have simmered the wine for for is 2 hours and the shortest was 5 mins. The results are very different so experiment and let us know what works for you.
Remember, this stuff will send you to sleep. I normally drink when I want to go to bed. Enjoy.
