Tis the most wonderful time of the year

7th Dec - Festive Tipple Recipes

Nothing says Christmas like mulled wine. It’s a festive tipple that warms you on a cold winters night. So here is my recipe for it and spiced cider (don’t worry the non-alcoholic versions are on their way tomorrow):

Mulled Wine

         Ingredients:
                    1 x good red wine
                    1 x clementine (you can use orange and/or tangerine)
                    1 x lemon or lime (or both)
                    100 g x brown caster sugar
                    3 x whole cloves
                    1 x cinnamon stick
                    2 x fresh bay leaves
                    1 x nutmeg grated (you can use pre-grated but I don’t think it tastes the same and I prefer freshly ground.)
                    1 x vanilla pod
                    2 x star anise

         How to make it:
                   Option 1)
                   You could just add it all into a saucepan and heat for about 10 minutes on a medium to high heat.

                   Option 2)
                   Put all the ingredients into a slow cooker and heat on low/medium for about 1 an hour.

                   Option 3)
                   Make a syrup using the rind of the clementine, lemon, and sugar, add the spices (except star anise), together with a little of the wine.
                   Then add the star anise and the rest of the wine and heat:

                              Peel the skin of the clementine, lemon/lime into large stripes – use a peeler.
                              Add the sugar to a saucepan and heat over a medium temp, then add the pieces of peel.
                              Squeeze in the clementine/orange juice.
                              Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, bay leaves and about half the nutmeg.
                              Split and add the vanilla pod (draw the knife down the center of it lengthways).
                              Stir in about a quarter of the red wine (just enough to cover everything).
                              Simmer until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil for about 5 minutes. You’ll be left with a syrup.
                              Keep on a rolling boil for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until you’ve got a beautiful thick syrup.
                              Reduce to a low heat and add the star anise and the reminder of the wine.
                              Keep at a gently heat for another 5 minutes, and it will be ready to serve.


Spiced Cider
         Ingredients:
                    1 x litre cider
                    3 x cloves
                    3 x star anise
                    Half a grated nutmeg
                    1 x cinnamon stick
                    1 x vanilla pod , halved
                    Juice of an orange
                    Juice of a clementine
                    3–4 tablespoons caster sugar

         How to make:
                    Warm the cider in a pan on a low heat.
                    Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil.
                    Once boiling, turn down to a simmer for about 5 minutes.
                    Add sugar to your taste

Serve both warn and in heat proof mugs or glasses, maybe with a mince pie…