Grzaniec: Polish Spiced Mulled Wine with Oranges and Cloves

📝 Ingredients

• 1 bottle red wine; dry or semi-dry (25.4 oz, 750 ml)
• 2 oranges
• 1 lemon
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 cloves
• 3 star anise
• 2 tablespoons honey, can be replaced with maple or raspberry syrup
• 3 tablespoons Sherry, Port or Madeira wine; optional
• 1/4 cup (handful) fresh cranberries
• oranges, sliced into half-moons or rounds
• cinnamon sticks
• rosemary sprigs

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Pour a whole bottle of red wine into...: Pour a whole bottle of red wine into a medium-sized pot.
2. 2Wash the citruses (two oranges and one lemon)...: Wash the citruses (two oranges and one lemon) thoroughly under running water. Scrub them well with a clean soft brush. Peel them all, carefully avoiding the bitter white part (the pith).
3. 3Add the peel into the pot. Juice the...: Add the peel into the pot. Juice the rest of the citruses, add the juice directly into the pot.
4. 4Add the spices: cinnamon stick, cloves and star...: Add the spices: cinnamon stick, cloves and star anise. Add the honey as well.
5. 5Partially cover the pot and gently warm up...: Partially cover the pot and gently warm up the mixture over medium heat. Do not bring it to boil - if it’s steaming, it’s hot enough.
6. 6Have a taste. Is it sweet enough? If...: Have a taste. Is it sweet enough? If not, it’s a good moment to add more honey.
7. 7Reduce the heat to a minimum and let...: Reduce the heat to a minimum and let the wine simmer for 30 minutes. Don’t be tempted to extend the cooking time, the flavours won’t improve. Quite the contrary: it will turn treacly and overly spiced.
8. 8Pour in 3 tablespoons of fortified wine (Sherry,...: Pour in 3 tablespoons of fortified wine (Sherry, Port, Madeira), stir them in. We’re adding it at the end to prevent the alcohol from evaporating completely.
9. 9Strain the wine and pour it into heat-resistant...: Strain the wine and pour it into heat-resistant glasses or cups.
10. 10Serve warm, with a garnish of your choice...: Serve warm, with a garnish of your choice (refer back to the ingredients list for some inspiration).