The Oxford Bishop: 19th Century Spiced Mulled Port Wine

French Tart's Note:

A lovely Traditional old English recipe by Eliza Acton, a 19th Century Victorian cookery writer of great repute. This unique beverage is also mentioned in "The Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, although in the book it was called Smoking Bishop!! This is a fruity & spiced warm mulled Port Wine drink which brings a glow to your face & warmth to your aching joints, believe me! Just the festive beverage to have after returning from Christmas Midnight Mass or whilst listening to Carols from King's College on Christmas Eve. Also wonderful as a welcome drink for a party or special event. It is easily topped up if extra guests arrive, and I have used wine in the past when the port was finished!

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 whole orange
• 16 whole cloves
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground mace or ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 10 fluid ounces water
• 750 ml ruby port
• 1 orange, juice of

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6.
2. Cut the orange in half and stud the 2 halves with the cloves.
3. Place the two halves on a lined baking tray cut-side up, and bake for 15 - 20 minutes.
4. Take out of the oven & set to one side.
5. Meanwhile pour the water into a large pan and add the sugar, cinnamon, mace, allspice & ginger.
6. Place over a high heat and stirring all the time, bring to the boil and let it boil until it has reduced by about half.
7. Take off the heat & set to one side.
8. When you are ready to serve the Oxford Bishop, empty the bottle of port into the pan with the spiced sugar water and add the two halves of baked oranges.
9. Add the orange juice and gently heat up and simmer - be careful NOT to boil it!
10. Serve from a warmed Punch Bowl with the orange halves floating in it - this should serve about 6 people.

Reviews

[HesterX]

I just made this for the adults at my son's 1st birthday party & it went over very well. Beautiful aroma, and I have to say I did have quite the rosy glow the whole day! I love the history behind it and have tucked this recipe into the cherished pile. Thank you!

[That is Dr House to you]

For the Vegetarian option you might want to use a Crusted Port