I’m convinced that mulled wine is the most delicious, festive, warming drink there is, best enjoyed with friends and family on cold winter’s nights. We like to drink it while we deck our halls every December. It’s easy to make a big batch of this and keep it warm in a slow cooker, which makes mulled wine a great alternative to a cold punch. And best of all, it makes your whole house smell like Christmas! Forget the potpourri and just make this instead.

If anyone tries to tell you the alcohol cooks out of mulled wine, they are LYING TO YOU. Okay, so maybe not, but this most certainly is still alcoholic. And as a word of caution, in my experience, warm booze hits you harder and faster. So mind your P’s and Q’s, and drink this responsibly.

Now go make a batch of this and celebrate the season with your people!

Mulled Wine

• Servings: 4
• Time: 45 minutes
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Ingredients

• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup water
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange, plus more for serving
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 (750 mL) bottle dry red wine

Directions

1. Combine the sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice into the saucepan. Push the cloves into the outside of the orange halves, and place in the saucepan. Continue simmering 30 minutes, until mixture has thickened slightly.
2. Add the bottle of wine to the saucepan and heat until it is just steaming. This will take about 5 minutes. Do not simmer or boil. Remove the orange halves and cinnamon sticks, and strain the wine if necessary. Serve hot in warmed glasses or mugs with extra orange slices and cinnamon sticks.

Adapted from Allrecipes