Forget hot chocolate, because this December we are feeling something a little stronger🎄🍷

(Serves 5) 

Ingredients
bottle of full bodied red wine
2 oranges, sliced
6 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise
4 large slices fresh ginger
50ml maple syrup
60ml brandy
lemon, to taste

Method 

Add the wine, orange slices (apart from the best looking 5 for garnish), cloves, cinnamon, star anise, ginger and maple syrup into a saucepan.

Bring to a boil, cover and turn down to a simmer.

Keep simmering for 15 minutes or up to 3 hours. Do not boil as this will evaporate the alcohol!

Strain with a bowl underneath.

Put back into the saucepan and add the brandy and more maple syrup or lemon to taste.

ENJOY! 🎄