2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks 5 cardamom pods 3 black peppercorns 4 whole cloves 1 1/4 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups water 1 (750-ml) bottle dry red wine such as Côtes du Rhône 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise 1 small orange, thinly sliced 1 small lemon, thinly sliced Special equipment: a 6- by 4-inch piece of cheesecloth; kitchen string print a shopping list for this recipe Preparation Wrap cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, peppercorns, and cloves in cheesecloth and tie with string. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a 5-quart heavy pot, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then add spice bag, wine, vanilla bean, and fruit. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. #------------------- Total Time: 20 min Prep 10 min Cook 10 min Yield: 8 servings Level: Easy Ingredients 4 cups apple cider 1 (750-ml) bottle red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon 1/4 cup honey 2 cinnamon sticks 1 orange, zested and juiced 4 whole cloves 3 star anise 4 oranges, peeled, for garnish Directions Combine the cider, wine, honey, cinnamon sticks, zest, juice, cloves and star anise in a large saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Pour into mugs, add an orange peel to each and serve. #------------------- Total Time: 2 hr 3 min Prep 3 min Cook 2 hr 0 min Yield: 10 servings Level: Easy Ingredients 6 whole allspice berries 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns 2 whole star anise 3 cinnamon sticks 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, sliced 3 large strips orange zest 3 large strips lemon zest 2 (750-ml) bottles red wine 3/4 cup honey Directions In the basket of a coffee percolator place the allspice berries, peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon sticks, ginger and citrus zest. Pour the wine and honey into the percolator. Attach basket, cover and let percolate for 1 to 2 hours. Serve hot. #------------------- Ingredients 1/2 tsp whole cloves 1/2 tsp allspice 1/4 tsp lemon rind (grated) 1/4 tsp grated orange (rind) 1 stick cinnamon (3-inch) 1 whole nutmeg (halved) 1 1/2 cups dry red wine 1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice Preparation Place first 6 ingredients on a 5-inch square of cheesecloth or coffee filter; tie with string. Pour wine and juice into a small saucepan, stirring well; add spice bag. Cover and cook over low heat 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard spice bag. Serve warm.