One of my goals this year is to cook more.  I’m going to try to post a weekly recipe that I’ve made to motivate me to do it.  First off, a warm alcoholic drink to take the chill off of your first day back to work.

This is a great hot alcoholic drink that I first tried at our DWW Xmas Party this year. I liked it so much I decided to try and make it. I took it to Christmas dinner and made it for our NYE party last night. It’s a big hit and perfect for cold winter nights.  I make it in a Crockpot, but you can certainly make this in a big pot on the stove.

INGREDIENTS

3L Red Wine
1 1/2 cups water tsp cinnamon (or to taste)
1/2 cup brown sugar (or to taste)
fresh ginger root
3 clementine oranges
12 whole cloves
Crockpot

Ingredients

Turn the crockpot on high.  Pour wine into crockpot, saving just enough for a glass for yourself while preparing :)   Add water.

Peel two oranges – try to keep the peel whole, or at least in large pieces.  Squeeze the juice into the pot.  Cover and let the wine mixture heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Check the wine temperature, make sure it’s nice and hot so the dry ingredients dissolve fully!  Peel and grate fresh ginger root into wine mixture, add cinnamon and sugar.  Stir to dissolve.  Separate orange peel into large pieces and push whole cloves into peel, add to pot.

Cover and cook on high for 60 minutes – stir and check occasionally to make sure it doesn’t boil.  Taste and add more sugar or spices to your liking.  Turn heat to low and cook for another 30 minutes.

Strain mixture and put it back in Crockpot, set on Warm.  Peel leftover orange and a slices to pot to garnish.  Serve in warm or room temperature cups – cold glass will crack.

A glass of wine for preparation

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Separate peel into large pieces

Strain & Serve