Experiments in mulling

It being the season to be jolly, I find a cup of hot spiced wine helps immensely with achieving said jollity.  Now, in Manchester one can easily find mulled wine at the Christmas Markets all over the city, but that requires a) venturing out of one's house, b) braving the Christmas shopping and market crowds, and c) paying far more than I consider reasonable for what you get.  So I have been experimenting with making my own mulled wine at home.  Reviews from guests so far have been eminently favourable and for the price of about 4 drinks at the markets, I have been able to produce enough of this mulled wine to supply a small army, so I consider the experiment to be an unqualified success. 

Red mulled wine

2 cups strong-brewed Christmas tea (or water)
zest of 3 oranges, 2 lemons, 1 lime
1/4 cup demerara sugar
6 star anise
12 cloves
9 cardamom pods
3 cinnamon sticks
4-inch piece ginger, finely sliced
1 orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
3 bottles red wine
1/4 cup honey (to taste)
200ml brandy
juice of 1/2 lemon

Place tea (or water), zest, sugar, spices and ginger in a large saucepan, cover and bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered about 20 minutes to let spices infuse.  Add citrus slices and red wine, heat until barely simmering.  Add honey and lemon juice to taste.  Put a splash of brandy in each mug and ladle hot mulled wine over to serve.

But why stop at the usual red mulled wine?  Today's experiment: white mulled wine, in a single-bottle quantity for testing purposes:

White mulled wine

1/2 cup water (or strong-brewed Christmas tea)
zest of 2 lemons, 1 lime
2 tbs white sugar
1 star anise
6 cardamom pods
6 cloves
pinch cinnamon
2-inch piece ginger, finely shredded
250ml apple juice
1 apple, sliced crossways
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
1 bottle white wine
1 dsp honey
1/4 cup brandy

Place tea or water, zest, sugar, spices and ginger in a saucepan, cover and bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes.  Add apple juice and sliced fruit, continue to simmer about 10 min.  Add white wine, honey to taste and brandy.