INGREDIENTS
- 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
- 5 cardamom pods
- 3 black peppercorns
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 cup 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
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.