How To: Make homemade mulled wine with warm spices, honey and orange bitters

Mulled wine— if you've never heard of it, you never drank wine during the wintertime! Okay, maybe mulled wine isn't the drink of choice during the winter season, but it should be! And especially for Christmas! Mulled wine is basically a warmed up version of red wine, with warm spices, honey and orange bitters to boot! It's the perfect winter warmer to sip with friends in front of the fireplace.

Maria Collins spikes the mixture with brandy before serving for an extra kick. Make a large batch in a crock pot to simmer and serve at a holiday gathering - while making your home smell heavenly.

Here are the ingredients:

For 2-4 Servings

* 10 allspice berries
* 5 whole cloves
* 5 whole peppercorns
* 2 green cardamom pods
* 2 cinnamon sticks
* 1 bottle fruity red wine (table red, merlot or cabernet preferred)
* ¼ cup honey
* ½ tsp orange bitters
* 1-2 oz of brandy, rum, or vodka (to taste, optional)
* cinnamon sticks to garnish

For 14-16 Servings

* 40 allspice berries
* 20 whole cloves
* 20 whole peppercorns
* 8 cardamom pods
* 8 cinnamon sticks
* 4 bottles fruity red wine (table red, merlot, cabernet preferred) or a 3-litre box<
* 1 cup honey
* 2 tsp orange bitters
* ½ cup brandy, rum, or vodka (to taste, optional)
* additional cinnamon sticks, to garnish