They may be frozen but will warm your spirits: Mulled Wine Popsicles!
If you're a wine fan and haven't yet experienced mulled wine during the holidays, get ready to feel very cosmopolitan. It's like winter's answer to sangria: fruit and spices soaking up the wine, infusing it with all kinds of wonderfully sweet and piquant aromas. Add a splash of rum or amaretto and light the fireplace... did we mention that this winter libation is served warm?
Or... is it? If global warming has spoiled your hopes of a white Christmas and it's 70°F outside, then why not have a mulled wine popsicle instead? (Psst! You can still taste the warm version while you're making it!)
You will need (for 8 servings):
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 cup red wine
- 1/2 cup sugar
- lemon zest (organic)
- 1 tsp cardamom
- 2 whole star anise stars
- 3 corns allspice
- 10 cinnamon sticks
Here's how:
- Setting aside 8 of the cinnamon sticks, add all of the ingredients to a saucepan and warm on low-medium heat. Note: don't bring to a boil!
- Pour the mixture through a sieve to remove all of the solid ingredients and let the remaining liquid cool.
- Pour the cooled wine mixture into a popsicle tray and place in the freezer until partly frozen, but not completely solidified.
- Insert a cinnamon stick in each popsicle and replace in freezer and allow to freeze completely.
Now it's time to gather all of the adults in the house and join in a festive toast! Cheers!