Pear Cardamom Mulled White

Name: Pear Cardamom Mulled White
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: about 5 cups (1.2 L); 8 small mugs
Ingredients: 1 bottle dry white wine, such as pinot grigio (750 ml); 2 cups pear nectar (480 ml); 3 tbsp honey; 6 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed; 3 slices fresh ginger; 2 cinnamon sticks; 3 wide strips of orange peel

Most mulled wine is red and heavy. This one is gold and light, built on dry white wine and pear nectar, with cardamom and ginger rather than clove, and it will not fight your food. Keep it on the lowest heat while people arrive.

about 5 cups (1.2 L); 8 small mugsYield

EasyDifficulty

What you'll need

1 bottle dry white wine, such as pinot grigio (750 ml)
2 cups pear nectar (480 ml)
3 tbsp honey
6 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
3 slices fresh ginger
2 cinnamon sticks
3 wide strips of orange peel

How to make it

Put everything in a large pot over low heat. Heat for 20 minutes until steaming, never boiling.
Remove the spices. Add more honey if wanted.
Ladle into mugs with a pear slice and a cinnamon stick.
Glass: Heatproof glass mugs. Garnish: A thin pear slice and a cinnamon stick.

Chef's secrets

Boiling drives off the alcohol and makes the wine bitter, so keep it just steaming.

Use a wine you would happily drink on its own.

Good to know

Make ahead

Warm gently in a slow cooker on low for up to 2 hours. Strain out the spices if it will sit longer.