Directions

1. Pour the red wine and orange juice into a large saucepan and heat the mixture over a medium heat until it is hot but not boiling.

2. Slice the oranges and lemon and add them to the wine along with the cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, lightly crushed cardamom pods and the split vanilla pod.

3. Stir in the brown sugar or honey to taste until it has completely dissolved.

4. Let the mulled wine steep on low heat for about 20-30 minutes without boiling. This allows the spices and fruits to develop their full aroma.

5. Finally, strain the mulled wine through a fine sieve and add a dash of rum.