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Smoking Bishop (Mulled Red Wine with Port) Recipe

Smoking Bishop (Mulled Red Wine with Port)
Difficulty: Easy | Total Time: 2 hrs, plus overnight infusing | Makes: 6 to 8 servings

Enjoyed by Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this warm red-wine punch flavored with cloves, anise, and cinnamon is the quintessential holiday drink.

This recipe was featured as part of our Hot Boozy Drinks.

[Ed. note: We noticed the comments from users about this drink being popular in the 18th century. We couldn’t track down our original source on that info, so we’ve removed the reference here.]

INGREDIENTS
  • 5 medium oranges
  • 1 medium grapefruit
  • 36 whole cloves
  • 1 (750-milliliter) bottle medium-bodied red wine, such as Pinot Noir
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 5 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
  • 2 star anise pods
  • 1 (750-milliliter) bottle ruby port
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Place the oranges and grapefruit in a baking dish and bake until the bottom of the fruit is lightly browned, about 35 minutes. Using tongs, flip the fruit over and continue baking until the second side is lightly browned, about 20 to 35 minutes more. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly in the dish. When cool enough to handle, remove the fruit from the dish and stud each piece with 6 cloves; set aside.
  2. Place the red wine, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and star anise in a large saucepan over low heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat. Add the clove-studded fruit, submerging it in the wine mixture as much as possible (not all the fruit will be covered). Cover and let sit at room temperature overnight.
  3. The next day, remove the fruit from the saucepan. Slice each piece in half and juice the halves into a strainer set over a medium bowl. Discard the seeds, cloves, and any large pieces of pulp in the strainer. Add the juice and port to the wine mixture and stir to combine. Place over low heat until the mixture is hot, being careful not to let it boil. If desired, remove the star anise and cinnamon sticks. Serve hot.
    Write a review | 4 Reviews
  • I think the more outlandish claim here is that grapefruits and oranges were enjoyed at CHRISTMAS TIME in ENGLAND in the 18th century? I'm no gastronomical historian, but that seems like a stretch.

  • This was absolutely delicious! I served it for T-day and my guests loved it. I was afraid it would be too sweet, but the grapefruit juice really balanced the sweetness of the port and sugar. Be warned: buy unwaxed fruit if you can find it!! /non-pedantic cook

  • Please re-read the first sentence. Smoking Bishop was popular in the 18th century (true), and it is mentioned in A Christmas Carol (also true). Nowhere is it claimed that A Christmas Carol was written in the 18th century. /uber-pedantry

  • I think you mean 19th Century (1800s). A Christmas Carol was published in 1843. /pedantry

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