In mid December, I took in the Strasbourg Christmas market with my buddies Lauren and Emily. The highlight was lovely steaming cups of warm, spiced white wine that went right to our heads. 

A couple of sips and our eyes got glassy, our speech emotional, and the cobblestones became difficult to negotiate.

It was some good mulled wine. 

At the market, the steaming pots of wine contained cinnamon sticks, star anise, a glut of citrus fruit, and what I supposed was the smooth taste of melted honey. I tried the same ingredients in my recipe, and served it as an apéro to a cheese fondue, which proved to be a good start to the white wine and warm tea we would continue to drink throughout the evening. 

a bottle of white wine

2 cinnamon sticks

3 star anise

2 oranges, in wedges

2 lemons, in slices

50 g honey

Put everything in a pot and warm over medium heat, making sure it doesn’t boil.

Before serving, have a taste—if it isn't sweet enough for your liking, add a tablespoon more honey, or a squeeze of orange juice. 

• Chasselas/Fendant make a good choice for wine here.