To start ~ bring 9 ounces of lemonade concentrate, 1/4 cup of whole cloves, 8 cinnamon sticks, and about 1 cup of sugar to a boil. This smells so good, you might be tempted to drink it right from the pan ... don't, hot boiled sugar syrup will eat the skin right off your lips ... making smooching under the mistletoe quite impossible. Resist the urge and settle for having your home smell like a Christmas paradise. Once the contents get to a good boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
At this point, you can store the syrup in a glass jar for about a week in the fridge ~ or you can just move forward with the recipe.
Stir one gallon of claret or bordeaux, depending on where you live, (or your favorite bordeaux-ish red) with the syrup in a large pot and warm it over low heat. Add slices of lemon, orange, and/or star fruit ... whatever floats your boat ... ladle into mugs ~ YUMMY!!!
Whatever you do, DO NOT add a candy cane to the mug as a garnish ... this will result in the absolutely most disgusting thing you've ever tasted. I know you're going to try it ... just consider yourself warned!!! Go with a cinnamon stick ... just as clever and much more appetizingly appropriate.
***You can keep this warm all day in the crock pot with minimal evaporation.***
This recipe is also recession proof ... you can use your favorite expensive wine or you can use any old cheap-ass wine from the bottom shelf ... the results are equally as delicious and intoxicating.
Enjoy & Happy Holidays!!!
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