With the dark evenings and Christmas approaching, it may be time to think of seasonal drinks.

Making mulled wine is a simple process and adds to the warmth of the festive season, perhaps bringing forth memories of evenings by an open fire.

It also does not require an expensive wine because the spices will adjust the flavour of the inexpensive options.

As with many mulled wine recipes, the taste can be made to suit the maker, but start with a little sugar and add more, if required.

It is also easy to adjust the volume you make, to cater for the number of guests you aim to impress with your culinary skills, but this recipe caters for four people.

Ingredients

1 litre dry red wine

2 (5cm) cinnamon sticks

1 dessertspoon whole cloves

1 dessertspoon whole allspice

1 large piece orange rind (avoid the pith)

1 large piece lemon rind (avoid the pith)

4 tablespoons sugar, or to taste

Method

Preparation time: three minutes.

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Using a heavy saucepan over a medium heat, combine the red wine, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, lemon rind and orange rind.

Heat gently, but don’t bring to the boil.

Stir in two tablespoons of the sugar and, once dissolved, taste to see if you’d like to add more.

Keep hot on medium to low heat for 20 minutes to let the flavours infuse the wine.

Serve your mulled wine hot in glasses or mugs.