One of my favorite smells to herald the holiday season is mulled spices. I’m talking cinnamon, star anise, and cloves. One of the best things you can make that incorporates the essence of these smells is mulled wine, or authentically known as glühwein. 

This is a wonderful (and easy) adult holiday beverage you can make for parties, or to get your house smelling like Christmas. Check out this recipe from New York Times Cooking.

Ingredients

• 2 large oranges
• 4 ¼ cups/1 liter red wine
• 1 ¼ cups/10 ounces brandy
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 3 cardamom pods, slightly crushed

Instructions

1. Using a peeler, remove the peel in strips from 1 orange then juice the orange. Slice the other orange into rounds and reserve for garnish.
2. In a nonreactive saucepan, combine orange peel, juice and the rest of the ingredients. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Increase the heat to high, bring mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently until flavors meld, about 30 minutes. Strain the mixture, discarding the solids.
3. Ladle into cups or mugs. Garnish each with a reserved orange round.