Apple mulled wine

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 1 bottle of cloudy apple juice
• 250 ml dry cider
• 200 ml red wine, dry
• 60 g rock sugar (granulated or brown)
• 2 slice(s) ginger, thin
• 1 stalk(s) cinnamon
• 2 pieces star anise
• 1 apple (Rubinette or Braeburn)

Instructions

Working time approx. 5 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 10 minutes; Total time approx. 15 minutes

cozy warmth from the glass

The quantities given are for 4 cups. Peel the ginger and set aside 2 thin slices. Combine the apple juice with the two ginger slices, star anise, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan, bring to a boil once, and let it steep over low heat for about 5 minutes. Add the cider and red wine, bring back to a boil briefly, and season with about 60g of Grümmel rock sugar. (Grümmel rock sugar is very aromatic and has a slightly caramel flavor. I highly recommend it for hot drinks. It gives honey cake, gingerbread, and ginger biscuits their typical, delicate crunch.) Remove the cinnamon stick, star anise, and ginger. Do not peel the apple; just halve, quarter, and core it. Cut one apple quarter into 4 thin wedges and eat the rest as is. Pour the hot apple mulled wine into four glass cups or heatproof glasses, place an apple wedge in each, and serve hot.