Winter Solstice + Mulled Wine

Mulled wine, a traditional Christmas drink in Europe, has become increasingly popular as the go-to winter beverage in Australia, thanks to the rising trend of solstice celebrations and fireside festivities.

At Flying Fish, it has become a tradition to celebrate the winter solstice by starting the day with a refreshing morning dip in the Indian Ocean, followed by mulled wine around a bonfire.

This mulled wine recipe is a delicious blend of our Margaret River Cabernet Merlot, warm spices, tangy oranges, and a touch of honey.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of Flying Fish Cove 2016 Cabernet Merlot
• 1/4 cup Cointreau
• 2 star anise
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 6 cloves
• 2 oranges (sliced, skin removed)
• 4 orange slices (with skin on) for garnish
• 1 tablespoon honey (we use the honey from the onsite hives at the winery)

Instructions:

• In a large saucepan, pour the Cabernet Merlot and add the Cointreau.
• Add the star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and sliced oranges (with skin removed) to the saucepan.
• Stir in the honey.
• Heat the mixture over high heat until it simmers. Avoid boiling to preserve the flavours.
• Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes, allowing the spices and oranges to infuse.
• Get ready for your kitchen to be filled with the aroma of mulled wine.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain the mulled wine to remove the spices and orange slices.
• Pour the mulled wine into glasses.
• Serve sifted with a cinnamon stick and fresh orange slice. Sip and enjoy!