MULLED ZIN (HOLIDAY ZINFANDEL WINE PUNCH)

Mulled Zin (Holiday Zinfandel Wine Punch) image

Provided by Julesong

Time 55m

Yield 1 750ml bottle

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 small tangerines or 2 small satsuma oranges, scrubbed well (divided)
12 whole cloves
1 (750 ml) bottle zinfandel or 1 (750 ml) bottle other favorite full bodied red wine
1 cup orange juice
1/3 cup honey, to taste
1 teaspoon brown sugar
10 cinnamon sticks, divided (3-inch long)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 whole allspice
1 ounce brandy or 1 ounce cognac, to taste

Steps:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Push the whole cloves into one of the small oranges until it's completely"studded," then place the orange in a baking dish and roast it in the oven until it's soft, which will take between 35 to 40 minutes.
In a non-reactive saucepan over medium heat, combine the roasted orange, zinfandel, orange juice, honey, brown sugar, 4 of the cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, allspice, and the brandy or Cognac.
Raise the heat to medium-high, stirring constantly until the honey is melted and the sugar is dissolved, which will take about 4 minutes, but DO NOT LET BOIL (the flavor of the wine and spices combination will deteriorate if the mixture reaches the boiling point).
Strain the mulled wine and pour into six coffee glasses or cups, slice the remaining small orange into 6 slices, and garnish each cup with a cinnamon stick and orange slice.