MULLED WINE CORDIAL

This is an easy recipe a favourite of all celebrations and makes a great wine for circles. Many have tasted this in the centre of Mt Franklin and it has been a feature for over 30 years. I first made this for the pagan community at the mid winter festival before the 1^st Mt Franklin. This is enough to make a cordial to make 10 litres of wine.

Why a cordial and not the mix. It’s easier to transport 1 bottle of cordial to mix with wine rather than making it on the spot. Also you can make cup full size to microwave for your self on a cold winters night without having to make a 4 litre mix.

Ingredients

500g of Honey

500g of raw sugar

1 small linen bag (to put the spices in.)

2 whole nutmegs

3 sticks of cinnamon

½ a teaspoon of mace. (the outer part of the nutmeg)

½ a teaspoon of turmeric. (good for stopping Alzheimer’s)

½ a teaspoon of ground cardamom.

1 teaspoon of whole cloves.

1 teaspoon of ground ginger.

¼ teaspoon of paprika. (this gives a little kick to the taste that fools people in to thinking the drink is more alcoholic than it is)

4 litres of wine.(merlot or a cabernet is best)

1 litre of water

Equipment

1 pot able to hold 5 to 6 litres

1 saucepan

1 small linen bag (to put the spices in.)

1 bottle or large jar to place the cordial in.

Procedure

This should be done a day or two ahead.

Place the nutmeg and cinnamon into the bag and hit them so as to break up the nutmegs and cinnamon. Then add the rest of the spices. Tie off the bag and throw it into a saucepan with the water and a cup of wine.

Boil it down to ½ it’s original volume then add the sugar and dissolve. Finally add the honey and dissolve this. Pour the mixture into your bottle or jar and seal. I like a large jar because I like to place the spice bag into the mix and let it mature a little.

The wine

One the night simply gently heat your wine add your cordial and enjoy. If you want to make it sweeter add more honey or raw sugar. A slow cooker is a great way of heating the wine if you are making it for an indoor party. For personal use add a little to a cup top with wine and microwave for 1minute

To make Glavine add lemon and orange zest and some chunky diced apples and pears!

To make sangria add a tin of fruit mix and chill.

Thanks to P for sending this one in :)))