Mulled Spiced Wine Bone Warming!

Rita~'s Note:

Lots of spice and good cheer to warm you and your guest during the cold winter holidays! Hibiscus flowers can be omitted or hibiscus tea bag can be used. Serve right from the crock pot so it stay warm can be diluted with a little warmed water or cranberry juice. Garnish with fresh Cranberries.

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 7 cups

• 1 quart red wine
• 1 cup port wine or 1 cup rum or 1 cup brandy
• 2 cups water
• 1 vanilla bean , cut lengthwise in half
• 10 cardamom pods
• 5 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 teaspoons whole allspice
• 2 teaspoons orange zest (Or use a whole orange cut in 1/2)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest , grated use the whole lemon cut in 1/2
• 3 dried hibiscus flowers (optional)
• sugar , to taste

Garnish

• almonds , blanched
• raisins
• cranberries

Directions:

1. Bring the wine, port, water, vanilla, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, orange peel or whole orange cut in half, lemon peel or whole lemon cut in half, hibiscus flowers and sugar to a simmer in a nonreactive saucepan.
2. Or place in a slow cooker on low for 1-2 hours.
3. Simmer the mixture slowly for 15 minutes.
4. Strain and place into Heat resistant punch bowl or keep in crock pot and keep on low.
5. Place 1 blanched almond and several raisins or fresh cranberries in the bottom of each punch glass.
6. Pour the warm wine mixture over and serve.

Reviews

[rosslare]

Perfect mulled wine. I think rum is a must though, rather than the other options.

[Sassy Syrah]

Rita, I have never had mulled wine before, so I was very excited to try your recipe. I thought that it would be a disappointment because I had built it up in my head so much, but alas it was FABULOUS. I made as you directed, used a rosehip teabag because I didn't have any dried hibiscus leaves. The only thing I left out was the garnish.

[Ameliahead]

I made this last year for a holiday party, and while starting to plan this year's, I realized I hadn't rated it. It was fun to make and smelled and tasted great. My crockpot was drained! I used port, which I will do again this year.