The perfect drink for both those who can enjoy an alcoholic tipple and for the designated drivers.

Mulled Wine
and Mulled Grape Juice

500g/1lb 2oz sugar

16 cloves

3 cinnamon sticks

6 lemons, thinly sliced

3 orange zest strips

2 × 75cl bottles red wine

1.5 litres/2¾ pints red grape juice

juice of 1 lime

twists of orange and lime zest, to decorate

Takes 55 minutes Makes 24 glasses

1 In a large pan over a moderate heat, dissolve the sugar in 1 litre/1¾ pints water. Add the spices, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the lemons and orange zest. Remove from the heat and leave to stand for about 30 minutes. Strain, cool and chill.

2 Divide the sugar syrup between two pans. Add the wine to one and the grape juice and lime juice to the other. Heat gently, do not allow to boil. Serve in jugs, taking care that the liquid is not too hot. Decorate the glasses with twists of orange and lime zest on cocktail sticks.

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