Mid-range red wine is best as quality really does make a difference (however, don’t use something that you wouldn’t really enjoy drinking!). Cider makes a cracking alternative.
The first step is the sugar or honey to sweeten and the spices which will create your mulled wine. Add cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, star anise and ginger according to your taste.
Spices should ideally be gathered in a muslin pouch or bag in order to avoid guests choking on small floating spices!
A popular twist is to create a mulling syrup (simmer sugar and water or wine with your spices for around 20 minutes until you have a thick, sweet, spicy syrup to add to your wine).
For those with a slightly boozier palate, why not add a splash of sloe gin, Cointreau, Grand Marnier or ginger wine to your brew - forget the ginger wine in my book but the rest ca va......
Garnish with orange slices and cinnamon sticks.
Slurp - and with the above ingredients, they'll be partying, parking and camping on your front lawn