The tastiest mulled wine recipe, to get you into the festive spirit

With December on the horizon, Team Hood thinks it’s about time we got into the festive spirit - so why not learn how to make the most festive tipple of them all to see you there in style?

A toasty glass of warming mulled wine, sipped with friends around a fire, is just about the most Christmassy thing we can imagine, so here’s our favourite recipe to help you make merry this December…

Mulled Wine (serves 4)

Ingredients

• 750ml bottle of good red wine

• 1 orange, sliced into thin rounds

• 5 dried apricots

• 1 large cinnamon stick

• 6 cloves

• 1 star anise

• Whole nutmeg, to grate

• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

• 3 tbsp caster sugar

Method

• Pour the wine into a large pan, and add the orange slices, dried apricots, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, vanilla paste and sugar

• Grate the nutmeg into the mixture (roughly 15 scrapes, or a teaspoon’s worth)

• Cook on a medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar

• Remove from the heat, and leave to infuse for half an hour

• Strain the wine into a large jug, reserving the orange slices for serving

• Return the wine to the pan and reheat until it’s piping hot

• Pour into heatproof glasses, top with the orange slices and serve to your friends - you can even add in star anise or cinnamon sticks for a bit of extra festive glamour