Spiced wine punch

Start your celebrations with this refreshing and sweetly spiced cocktail.

delicious.

Photography by Brett Stevens

• Ingredients

• 1/2 firmly packed cup (100g) brown sugar
• 1 star anise
• 1 cinnamon quill
• 4 cloves
• Pared rind of 1 lemon and 1 orange
• 150ml Cointreau
• 3 cups (750ml) fruity red wine
• Dried (see note) or fresh orange slices, to garnish
• Crushed ice, to servet

1. Step 1
   Stir the brown sugar, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, citrus rind and 1/2 cup (125ml) water in a pan over low heat to dissolve sugar. Increase heat and bring to the boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for 2 minutes until syrupy. Cool. (You can make the syrup up to 3 days ahead, then refrigerate.)
2. Step 2
   Strain the syrup, discarding solids, then stir in the Cointreau and red wine. Chill for at least 2 hours. Serve in a punch bowl with plenty of crushed ice, garnished with orange slices.
   delicious. - December 2009 , Page 147
   Recipe by Valli Little
   taste.com.au