Mulled Red Wine

By Coppermouse

I severed this on Christmas Eve. The only changes I made were: Sweet red wine, 3 cinnamon sticks, thin slices of lemon & orange instead of zest, and only 1/4c sugar (since I started with sweet wine). I made a second batch, only adding 4 cardamom pods and some candied ginger, and that came out great too!

Ingredients

• 8 whole cloves
• 4 whole black peppercorns
• 4 (3- by 1/2-inch) strips fresh lemon zest
• 4 (4- by 1/2-inch) strips fresh orange zest
• 4 cups dry red wine (from two 750-ml bottles)
• 1/2 cup kirsch or other cherry-flavored brandy
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
• 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
• Garnish: cinnamon sticks

Preparation

Step 1

Put cloves, peppercorns, and zest on cheesecloth, then
tie closed to form a bag.
Combine wine, kirsch, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, and cheesecloth bag in a 4-quart saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring.

Simmer 10 minutes. Serve warm.