As the weather cools down outside, what could be nicer than relaxing at home with a mug of homemade mulled wine? Not only will the delicious smell of spices pervade your house, it’s also a great way to make use of some of the less-than-excellent wines that have started appearing in your Christmas hampers.

And so, without further ado, Asia Tatler Dining presents a mulled wine recipe from the Mandarin Oriental, which serves the drink along with chestnuts in the lobby during the festive season starting from December 17.

Mandarin Oriental's Mulled Wine
1 bottle of red wine
60g brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick
Grated nutmeg
1 halved orange
1 piece of dried bay leaf

Put the wine in a saucepan with the orange, sugar, bay leaf and spices. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Taste to see if you want the wine sweeter, and add more sugar to taste. Strain into heat-proof glasses and serve at once.