Emeril's Holiday Mulled Wine & Kid's Sparkling Cider with Fruit

YIELD 12 servings

INGREDIENTS

Holiday Mulled Wine:
3 star anise pods
3 allspice berries
6 whole black peppercorns
3 cinnamon sticks
1 large orange
6 whole cloves
3 bottles fruity red wine, such as Rioja, Grenache, Shiraz or Raspberry Merlot
1 1/2 cups brandy or Grand Marnier
1 cup whole dried figs
1 cup chopped dried apricots
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup dried, pitted and chopped prunes
3 hibiscus flowers, (optional, for garnish)
Sparkling Cider with Fruit:
2 bottles sparkling apple cider or apple grape cider
Sliced assorted fall fruit, like apples, pears or Asian pears

PREPARATION:

Special equipment:

  1. cheesecloth and butcher's twine

To make the sachet

  1. Place a large square of cheesecloth on the cutting board. Add the star anise, allspice berries, peppercorns and cinnamon sticks directly to the center. Tie up the cheesecloth with the twine to make a small package and set aside.

To make the spiced wine

  1. Take the orange and stud it with the cloves. In a large pot (not aluminum) over medium heat, add the sachet, clove studded orange, wine and brandy. Stir to combine. Then, add all of the dried fruit. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes until the wine begins to simmer. Reduce heat to low; simmer until flavors have melded, about 30 minutes.
  2. To serve, ladle out the spiced wine and some fruit to each glass. Garnish with hibiscus flowers, if desired. Serve immediately.

Sparkling Cider with Fruit:

  1. Combine all ingredients and serve immediately.

    This recipe was featured on the Home for the Holidays Episode of Emeril Green.

This recipe appears in: Cider