Mulled Wine

I absolutely LOVE warm drinks in the winter. Even more than I love warm soups. There is just something about sitting inside where it is warm and drinking a warm drink during the coldest days of winter that is just amazing. When I was up in Minnesota for Christmas last weekend, my sister and I were discussing what we were going to make. Knowing it would probably be way colder up there than it has been down here in Missouri, making me now more soft when it comes to cold weather (I am ashamed), I suggested mulled wine. I'd seen it before, but had never actually tried it. Being that it was a warm wine drink, however, I knew it would be right up my alley. 
It was amazing. Even my mother, who is not a wine drinker by any means, really enjoyed it. And, considering it was cold and snowing the entire time we were up there, it definitely helped us feel cozy indoors.

So much snow

Mulled Wine From Ina Garten 
4 cups apple cider 1 bottle red wine 1/4 cup honey 2 cinnamon sticks (or a dash of cinnamon) 1 orange, zested and juiced 4 whole cloves  3 star anise
Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower heat to low, and let simmer for 10 minutes. Serve.

Enjoy!