3rd Dec Prompt 2022 from Riandra: Mulled wine
Mulled Wine
Heading past the kitchen door, intending to perambulate,
A rich and citrus spiked aroma causes both to hesitate.
Holmes and Watson breathe the scent of cloves and lemons, sharp and clear,
Change their plans, no words required, quite clearly they are needed here.
Mrs Hudson hears them enter , eyes them from the kitchen range;
Two enthusiastic, hopeful helpers; some things never change.
~0~
Both observe as lemon rind is slit and several cloves stuck in;
Placed on trays beside the fire to gently roast the spice-laced skin.
Holmes takes charge of mixing ginger, allspice, mace and cinnamon,
Adds them to a pan of water, boiled till half the liquid's gone.
Watson's turn; port wine is heated up, the flavours concentrate;
A spill is lighted letting excess alcohol evaporate.
~0~
Mrs Hudson adds the roasted lemons, sets the pan aside,
Adds the spices Holmes has mixed, checks flavours till she's satisfied.
Sugar rubbed on lemon rind , now added to a bowl, before
A squeeze of lemon juice, the men stand back , watch Mrs Hudson pour
The warm and scented liquid, stir it gently , and declare it done.
Three glasses filled, a toast…to joy and festive cheer for everyone.
~0~
a/n…a Victorian recipe for mulled wine…known as the "smoking bishop", apparently:-)