Christmas Gems

Mulled Wine

• 2 x 75 cl bottles of medium or full bodied red wine
• 4 oranges, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
•  2 cinnamon sticks
• 8 tablespoons of granulated sugar - I use the unbleached, it has more flavour
• freshly grated nutmeg
• a generous slosh of brandy

Put all the above ingredients in a saucepan with 2 pints (1.2 litres) of water and slowly heat to simmering point.  Keep stirring until the sugar has dissolved and keep just about simmering for about 20 minutes.  Do not let it boil or all the alcohol will evaporate.  Serve in stemmed glasses, as the mulled wine will be very hot.