glühwein

Now that it's not cold enough to drink it, a recipe. This is not in the least bit technical, and we pick and mixed from about three recipes, going heavy on the spices, but it tasted delicious.

2.5 litres of dry red wine
150 grams of white sugar
chopped apples
sliced oranges
zest of half a lemon
one cup of orange juice
12 cloves
3 star anise
3 or 4 cinnamon sticks
a little freshly grated nutmeg

MacGyver* a spit over the fire in your backyard or simply put it on a low heat til its warm, not too warm mind as there was panic about what temperature the alcohol evaporates, maybe 70 or 80 degrees? Like I said, not terribly technical.

*MacGyver employs his resourcefulness and his knowledge of chemistry, physics, technology, and outdoorsmanship to resolve what are often life-or-death crises.



Try not drink a whole clove or worse, a star anise. Also be warned that after 8 litres you may end up with a hoe-down in your backyard with two lagerchairs, coconuts, tambourines and somebody playing the phone book. After this racket you may also end up with blood blisters on your fingers from playing the coconuts and a tambourine shaped bruise on your thigh or bum, depending how you play. Be warned!