Chinese Five-Spice Mulled Wine

By Nanatimesthree

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 bottle red wine
• 1 cup ruby Port
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 2 whole star anise
• 6 whole cloves
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds
• 1/2 tsp. whole white peppercorns
• 1 cup Cognac or brandy

Preparation

Step 1

Bring 1/2 cup water and sugar to boil in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove syrup from heat; reserve.

Combine red wine and next 6 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Bring mixture almost to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook just below simmer for 10 minutes. Strain into 4 cup measuring cup; discard spices.

Pour two tablespoons Cognac and 1 tablespoon syrup into each of 8 punch glasses. Add 1/4 cup hot mulled wine to each glass; stir to blend.