Drink of the Week – Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

I love anything in a slow cooker. It just makes my life that much easier! Plus then people can serve themselves. How about giving this delicious drink at try?

• 1 bottle red wine
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp whole allspice berries
• 4 star anise
• 1/2 tsp whole cloves
• 5 whole cardamom pods, lightly crushed with the back of a spoon to expose the seeds
• 1/2 vanilla bean, slit down the center
• a good grating of fresh nutmeg (about 1/4 tsp)
• 8 clementines, cut in half
• garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick and a star anise

Instructions

1. Put the water and sugar in the crock pot and turn on high. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Juice 4 of the clementines and add to the pot.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and heat until the wine just gets to a simmer. Then turn the dial to the warm setting and let it sit for about 30 minutes before serving.
3. You can strain the wine before serving, or not.

Source: The View From the Great Island