Mulled Wine

Joef made pretty much the best mulled wine we've ever had tonight. Yeah, it's the middle of May - not quite mulled wine season, but it's been raining for about five days straight, and we needed some relief from the damp.

This is sweet, spicy, strong, soothing - everything you want in mulled wine. There are a good number of ingredients, but it doesn't take long to make, and it's worth it. The vanilla really made it. It was just perfectly balanced.

1 small orange, sliced thinly into discs
8 cloves, whole
1 vanilla bean, sliced in half lengthwise
5 cardamom seeds, whole
3 peppercorns, whole
2 3-inch cinnamon sticks
750 mL dry/spicy red wine (we used Crianza, but others would work)
1/4 cup cognac (substitute: brandy)
1/4 cup sugar in the raw
1 cheesecloth
String

Place all the spices - cloves, vanilla bean, cardamom, peppercorns, cinnamon - on top of the cheesecloth, and tie the corners of the cloth together with the string to form a closed pouch - like a teabag! Place all ingredients into a small pot and heat on medium-low for about 10-15 minutes until hot. Do not boil.

Strain liquid through a mesh sieve into a bowl. Ladle into glasses and enjoy!