Simple Mulled Wine

Place a large saucepan on a medium high heat and add the brandy, wine, slices of orange, cinnamon, star anise and cloves. Stir to mix together.

As the mulled wine begins to simmer gently, immediately reduce the heat and low and cover.

Let the mulled wine simmer for 30 minutes or up to a few hours. The longer means more flavours emerge.

When happy with the flavour, remove from the heat and pass through a fine mesh sieve. You need to make sure the cloves, cinnamon, star anise and orange slices are removed from the wine.

Taste again and add more sugar if needed and stir in well to dissolve.

When ready to serve, warm the mulled wine over a low to medium low heat and ladle into glasses or mugs.

Garnish accordingly. I like to add fresh cut orange and lime wedges with a bit of ground nutmeg on top.