Mulling It Over

Mulling It Over

1 Bottle of Red Wine (Merlot or Zinfandel)
1/4 Cup of Brandy
2 Small Oranges
2 Cinnamon Sticks
3 Whole Star Anise
7-8 Whole Cloves
2 Tbsp (or to taste) of Maple Syrup
Orange Slice

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and heat until the wine almost reaches a simmer over medium-high heat. Before it starts to bubble, reduce the heat to low, cover completely, and let it simmer for another 10-15 min. Strain the ingredients and give the mulled wine a taste and add more maple syrup to reach your desired sweetness. Serve in a heatproof mug and garnish with whole anise, cinnamon sticks, and an orange slice.