Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 bottle red wine

Zest and juice of 2 oranges

1 sliced orange

1 sliced lemon

1 stick of cinnamon

5 cloves

5ml (1 tsp) ground nutmeg

1 bay leaf

3 allspice berries

1 star anise

A generous knob of finely sliced ginger

30ml (1 tbsp) pomegranate molasses or syrup

Method:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes over a low heat.
2. Remove from the heat and allow to stand for at least 30 minutes for the flavours to infuse.
3. Just before serving, heat through and serve with a sprinkling of dried cranberries and extra citrus slices, if desired. 

Cook's tips:

• To make a nonalcoholic version of this hot drink, replace the wine with 1 litre red grape juice and 250ml (1 cup) cranberry or pomegranate juice.
• For an even more decadent sip, top your glass of mulled wine with a dollop of rum or brandy butter. To make some, simply mix 45ml (3 tbsp) softened butter with 15ml (1 tbsp) rum or brandy.