We’re only a few days into the semester, and students already feel like downing a massive glass of wine at the end of the day. This spiced wine recipe not only satisfies my end-of-day cravings but is a great way to warm up on a cold, winter night. The best part is that cheap wine and whiskey won’t screw the whole thing up, so jump for those discount bottles before splurging. I’ve tried both and, surprisingly, the cheap stuff takes the cake. 

This recipe was inspired by a friend of mine from Austria. We were exchanging holiday traditions and while my family does partake in alcoholic beverages every holiday season, we lack any specific recipes. I decided to try out my own version and I absolutely love the stuff! Cinnamon, wine and whiskey? Dreams really do come true.

Typically, this recipe includes star anise, but I like it better without. If you happen to be a big fan of the spice, then just add two whole star anise along with the cinnamon sticks and voila!

Ingredients:

2 bottles of red wine (Barefoot’s Cabernet Sauvignon is my favorite)

            $6/bottle

3 Red Delicious apples, cored and sliced (really any red apples will do the trick)

            $1/pound

1 cup of honey

            $2.44

2 cinnamon sticks

            $6.99

3 oranges, sliced

            $1.32/pound

¼ tsp of vanilla extract

            $4.29

½ cup of bourbon whiskey

            $12/bottle (you can always just buy 1-2 shooters for a cheaper wine)

Total: $40.04

Toss all that goodness in a pot, cover and let cook for an hour on very low heat. Check on it every 20 minutes to make sure it never reaches a boil. Strain the mixture and serve warm with a cinnamon stick.

This recipe is perfect for every occasion. Personally, I prefer my spiced wine at the end of a very long day paired with a movie and some macaroni and cheese, but it also makes for a delicious holiday cocktail. Enjoy!

Audrey Weiss can be reached at entertainment@collegian.com and on Twitter @audkward.