The Perfect Mulled Wine Sangria

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I've been creating some festive cocktails perfect to enjoy throughout December.

You can not go wrong with Mulled Wine, it's most definitely one of the most popular beverages to have through Christmas whether it's at a Christmas market, in a cosy restaurant and why not make it to enjoy at home?!

I like to add a twist to any classic cocktail, and this is the Spanish way to do Mulled Wine - Mulled Wine Sangria! It tastes exactly like mulled wine would just slightly cooler and with fresh chopped up fruits. This recipe makes enough to fill a 1L jug, so it's a perfect drink option to serve at a Christmas gathering, simply pour into a wine glass and enjoy!

Note: I like to serve it a room temperature so I don't use ice like you would for sangria.

Approx servings: 5 wine glasses

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of your choice of red wine

• 230ml bottle of Apple Cider

• 70ml of honey

• 70ml of Brandy, Dark Rum or Cognac

• Tsp of cloves (wrapped in an empty tea bag or cheese cloth & tied)

• 2-3 cinnamon sticks

• Chopped fresh fruit (e.g apple, orange, red fruits, pomegranate)

• Rosemary & Star anise for garnish

Method:

1. Pour the wine, cider, honey & brandy into a pan over a hob & add the cinnamon sticks and tea bag of cloves. Place a lid and allow it to simmer for 20-30 mins, make sure it doesn't reach boiling point (there's no need to stir it).

2. While its simmering chop up some fresh fruit and place it inside a 1 - 1.5L jug.

3. Pour the mulled wine straight into a heat resistant jug after simmering for 20-30 mins.

4. Allow the fruit to add flavour to the mulled wine, so leave it for 2-3 hours. You can place it inside a fridge depending what temperature you would like it.

5. Pour into a wine glass adding the rosemary twig and star anise for garnish.

6. Serve & enjoy!