Mulled Holiday Wine

Add some flavor to your holidays by serving up this delicious mulled holiday wine. Not only is it infused with the scents and flavors of the holiday season, it also makes for such a pretty display on holiday buffets. Guests can also dip into a punch bowl filled with mulled wine to serve themselves so you won't have to worry too much about keeping everyone's glass full.

This is one rich and bold drink your guests won't be able to put down!

Ingredients:

2 large oranges

4 cardamom pods

12 whole clove

12 allspice berries

12 whole black peppercorns

2 cinnamon stick, plus 8 for garnish

2 bottles red wine

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup brandy

Directions:

Zest then juice the oranges.

Press firmly on the cardamom pods to bruise them.

In a large pot (not aluminum), combine zest, juice, cardamom, cloves, allspice, peppercorns, cinnamon, wine, sugar, and brandy. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves, 1 to 2 minutes.

Reduce heat to low; simmer until flavors have melded, about 30 minutes.

Pour through a fine-mesh sieve; garnish with cinnamon stick and serve.

Serves:

8