Warm Winter Drinks
Mulled Wine - One Version
- 5 Oranges
- 50 Cloves
- Thinly pared rind and juice of 4 lemons
- 3 ½ cups Water
- ½ cup Superfine sugar
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- 8 ½ cups Red wine
- 2/3 cup Brandy
Prick the skins of 3 of the oranges all over with a fork and stud with the cloves, then set aside.
Thinly pare the rind and squeeze the juice from the remaining oranges.
Put the orange rind and juice, lemon rind and juice, water, sugar and cinnamon in a heavy-bottom pan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved.
Boil for 2 minutes without stirring, then remove from the heat. Stir once and let stand for 10 minutes
Strain the liquid into a heatproof pitcher, pressing down on the contents of the strainer to extract all the juice.
Pour the wine into another pan and add the strained spice juices, the brandy, and clove-studded oranges.
Let simmer gently, without boiling, then remove the pan from the heat.
Strain into heatproof glasses and serve immediately.
Mulled Wine - A different version
- 2 bottles (750 ml each) Red wine
- 2 cups Sugar
- 1 cup Brandy
- 1 Orange, juiced, rind reserved
- 1 Lemon, juiced, rind reserved
- 10 Whole cloves
- 6 Whole peppercorns
- 4 Cinnamon sticks
Put the wine, sugar, brandy, orange and lemon juice and rinds, and the spices in a saucepan over medium heat.
Bring the liquid to almost a boil, then reduce the heat to very low and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Serve in heated mugs.
Makes 8 servings.
Mulled Cider
- 2 litres Sweet cider
- 1 cup (250 ml) Brown sugar
- ½ cup (120 ml) Rum (optional)
- 8 Whole cloves
- 4 Cinnamon sticks
Put all the ingredients in a saucepan over moderate heat.
Bring to almost a boil and then simmer gently for about 15 minutes.
Serve in heated mugs.
Makes 8 servings.