A warm and aromatic mulled wine recipe perfect for cozy winter evenings.
Pour the red wine into a heavy-bottomed pot.
Using a heavy-bottomed pot ensures even heating and prevents scorching.
Add the water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise to the pot.
Stir the mixture well to dissolve the sugar completely.
Juice the orange and add the juice to the pot.
Roll the orange on the counter before juicing to extract more juice.
Heat the mixture over low heat until warm, but do not let it boil.
Keeping the heat low preserves the alcohol content and prevents bitterness.
Simmer gently for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Cover the pot partially to retain the aroma while simmering.
Ladle the mulled wine into preheated mugs and serve warm.
Preheating the mugs keeps the drink warm for longer.