Mulled Wine

This is my take on the traditional Norwegian Christmas drink that we warm ourselves on. The vodka is optional. I leave it out most of the time - otherwise, this drink can go right to your head.

INGREDIENTS:

Number of servings

Servings: 4-6

List of ingredients

1 cup (2 ½ dl) water

1 cinnamon stick

4 cardamom seeds

2 cloves

1 heaped tablespoon honey

2 tablespoons homemade vanilla sugar, or 2 tablespoons vanilla and ¼ vanilla bean

1 bottle of red wine

½ (1 dl) vodka

½ cup (1 dl) almonds

¼ cup (½ dl) raisins

1 orange, sliced

PREPARATION:

• In a small pot, bring the water to boil. Add cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, honey and vanilla sugar to and mix it well. Let this sweet spice mixture boil for about 15 minutes to release the flavor of the spices.

• Meanwhile, heat the red wine gently in a medium pot. Make sure it does not reach more than 170F (78C), otherwise the alcohol will evaporate. Add 1/3 of the sweet spice mixture. Add almonds and raisins. Add more spice mixture to taste, until the mulled wine has the sweetness of your liking. Add the vodka.

• Add a slice of orange to each cup add mulled wine and serve.