MULLED WINE

Greet the season and banish those winter chills with a warming glass. 

What you need

• 750ml bottle of red wine
• 60g demerara sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• A light grating of fresh nutmeg
• 2 star anise
• 1 orange, halved
• 60ml sloe gin, optional
• Star anise and sliced orange to garnish, optional

What you do

1. Place the wine, sugar, spices and orange in a large saucepan.
2. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Taste; add a little more sugar if needed.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the sloe gin, if required.
4. Using a small sieve or tea strainer, strain into heatproof glasses. Garnish with the star anise and orange, if required, and serve immediately 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!