Mulled Wine

(English spiced wine)

Mulled wine, as this warm spiced wine is known in England, is popular throughout northern Europe around Christmas. In France this warming winter beverage is known as vin chaud, in Italy as vin brûlé. Germans drink Glühwein. The Swedish name for it is glögg.

4 to 5 servings

Ingredients

Red wine -- 1 (750-ml) bottle
Sugar or honey -- 3 to 5 tablespoons
Cinnamon sticks -- 2 to 4
Cloves -- 4 to 6
Cardamom pods -- 3 to 4
Orange peel -- from 1 orange

Method

Place all ingredients in a pot and slowly bring to a simmer over a low flame. Do not boil. Cover and let steep on a very low flame for about 15 minutes.
Strain through a sieve and discard the spices. Ladle the mulled wine into mugs and serve.

Mulled Wine Variations

Swedish Glögg: Drop a couple of raisins and a slivered almond or two into each glass before pouring in the wine.
Add a few shots of cognac or brandy to the wine just before serving for a more bracing beverage.
Vary the amount of sugar and spices to your taste.
Make sure that the orange peel has no white pith which could make the wine bitter. This is easy if you peel it with a vegetable peeler.