Gluhwein Mulled Spice Wine - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
8 cloves
4 cardamom pods
2 star anise
4 cinnamon sticks
1 large lemon (need the juice and peel)
2 bay leaves
2 (750 ml) bottles of a dry red wine

Preparation

Place the water and sugar in a small sauce pan and heat till the sugar is dissolved.
While waiting for the sugar to dissolve, place the rest of the ingredients in a crockpot. Set on high.
Add the sugar water to the crockpot once it has dissolved. Leave the crockpot on high for 1 hour. (make sure it does not boil).
After about an hour set it to low for another hour.
Serve in small warmed mugs (straining out the peel and spices), with optional shot of brandy, kirsch or other liqueur.