Chinese Five-Spice Mulled Wine
INGREDIENTS
1/2 Cup sugar
1, 750 ml bottle bold red wine (such as Syrah or Zinfandel)
1 Cup ruby Port
6 Cinnamon Sticks
2 whole Star Anise
6 Whole Cloves
1 tsp Fennel Seeds
1/2 tsp Whole White Peppercorns, cracked
1 Cup Cognac or brandy
STEPS
Bring 1/2 cup water and sugar to boil in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove syrup from heat; reserve.
Combine red wine and next 6 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Bring mixture almost to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low;cook just below simmer for 10 minutes. Strain into 4-cup measuring cup; discard spices.
Pour 2 Tbsp Cognac and 1 Tbsp syrup into each of 8 punch glasses. Add 1/4 cup hot mulled wine to each glass;stir to blend.
* Recipe from BonAppetit