Mulled Wine

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

1. 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.
2. Strain, ladle into mugs and serve.

Variations

• Glögg (Swedish): Drop a couple 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.

Notes

• 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.