Mulled wine

I love hot cocktails, don't you? One of my favorite places to have a warm cocktail is on top if Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach, CA. There's a bar on the rooftop, and it gets cold and windy of course, but they provide blankets and heaters. You could see up and down the coast. It's beautiful. You also get your own private table. And then nothing sets the mood perfect than with a warm cocktail in your hand. Their's is summery and light with notes of pear to match the beach but it is winter now and what we need is something comforting. Here my recipe for mulled wine.

1 bottle Red wine, I used a Spanish wine that only set me back 7.99

1 whole star anise

2 cinnamon sticks

1 lime, rind and juice

1 lemon, rind and juice

1 tbsp vanilla 

1/2 brown sugar 

You have to melt the sugar and rind and juice of all the citruses  first. You don't want the alcohol from the wine to cook off. Add the spices.  Add the wine and let it get warm about 110 degrees F. Add vanila. Add rum last. Serve warm!