Mulled Wine

Step 1In a medium saucepan, combine the wine, apple cider, brandy, honey, cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and ginger. Using a vegetable peeler, remove half the zest from 1 orange in wide strips, avoiding the white pith. Add the zest to the saucepan. Cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice directly into the pan. Cut the second orange into half-moon slices for serving.

Step 2Warm the mixture over medium-low heat until simmering, but do not let it boil. Simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.

Step 3Strain the wine through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger, and orange zest before serving, if desired. Pour into mugs and garnish with orange and apple slices and cinnamon sticks.