Glühwein

- A bottle (75 ml) of deep, fruity red wine 

- half-moon slices from one half an orange 

- 1 tsp. cinnamon or three cinnamon sticks

- 1/4 tsp. cloves or about 8 whole pieces

- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 

- some shakes of vanilla sugar 

- 2-3 cracked cardamom pods 

- at least two pieces of star anise 

- 2 rounded tbs brown sugar 

- splash of Kirschwasser or Amaretto 

- a couple of thin slices of orange for decoration 

Combine everything in a saucepan on the stove. On a medium-low setting, stirring frequently, bring it slowly to a nice, hot drinking temperature and let the flavors blend for a minute or two before serving. Be patient -- it should be steaming hot, but hardly simmer. You don't want to cook out all the alcohol! 

 If you have any rock sugar (Kandiszucker), drop a couple on the bottom of each mug before adding the Glühwein. As for the wine, Dornfelder is ideal, but an especially cherry-noted Pinot Noir works great, too. (I bet Dad's Pinot Evil would be awesome here!) Or a Merlot -- whatever, as long as it's fruity! 

 A nonalcoholic version (Kinderpunsch) is easy: just replace the wine with apple juice, grape juice, well-steeped fruit tea, or a mixture of all of them. 

Enjoy with spicy cookies!