Mulled Wine

Mulled wine ("gluehwein" in Europe) is a fantastic holiday party drink. It's easy to make, delicious, and makes your house smell amazing.

In a large saucepan, combine:

2 bottles of red wine, medium quality, not too sweet
1/2 cup Brandy
2/3 cup sugar
mulling spices in a tea strainer or cloth*
2 T orange juice

*To make your own mulling spices, get piece of muslin or cotton and make a little bag. Put in 1/2 a teaspoon ground cinnamon (or a cinnamon stick if you have one), 6 to 8 cloves (or 1/2 a teaspoon ground cloves) and tie tightly. Add to pot. Add 2 tablespoons of orange juice to the wine. If you have an orange, zest it and add that to the mulling spices.

Heat until wine is steaming but not boiling. Use ladle to pour into mugs and enjoy!

Less-alcoholic version: There is some debate about whether this is as tasty, but I've tried it and I think it is! Put your wine and brandy in the saucepan alone. Bring up to 140 degrees. Hold at that temperature for 45 minutes (check it often!) without boiling, adding the mulling spices, sugar and orange juice when there is 20 minutes to go. Enjoy! Please note this does not remove ALL the alcohol, just most of it.