Mulled Wine with Honey and Orange
- 1 large seedless orange
- 12 whole cloves 12 allspice berries
- Two 3-inch cinnamon sticks
- 3 cardamom pods, crushed (optional)
- One 1½-liter bottle fruity red wine, such as Merlot
- 1 cup honey
- 2/3 cup orange-flavored liqueur, preferably Grand Marnier or Grand Gala
Instructions:
Use a fruity but full-bodied red wine. Merlot is a good choice, but Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon also work.
- Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from the orange. Rinse and wring out a 12-inch-square piece of cheesecloth. Wrap the orange zest, cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks, and cardamom, if using, in the cheesecloth and tie with a piece of kitchen string. Cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice from the orange. Set the juice aside.
- In a large nonaluminum pot, combine the wine, honey, Grand Marnier, orange juice, and spice packet. Heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the honey, over low heat until hot but not boiling, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a slow cooker set on Low and serve hot.