Vin Chaud – Mulled Wine

Paris sous la neige! Although I am not a huge fan of snow, I must admit that the pictures of Paris iced with snow fired my imagination. In my mind I am sitting next to a tall window on the 6th floor of a Haussmannian building, sipping from a mug of vin chaud and marveling at the sites of Paris covered in sparkling white crystals. Please join me! et voilà:

Vin Chaud ~ Mulled Wine

Serves 8

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 bottle Beaujolais Nouveau or Villages
• 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
• 1 small lemon, thinly sliced
• 1 small orange, thinly sliced

Wrap the following spices into a piece of cheesecloth and tie with a string:

• 2 cinnamon sticks (about 3 inches long)
• 5 cardamom pods
• 3 black peppercorns
• 4 whole cloves
• For the sugar syrup:
• 1-1/4 cups sugar
• 1-1/2 cups water

PREPARATION:

1. Bring the sugar and water to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

2. Add the spice bag, wine, vanilla, lemon and orange slices and simmer, stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes.

TO SERVE:

Ladle into mugs and garnish with a lemon or orange slice along with a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.

Et voilà!