VINO CALIENTE (HOT WINE DRINK)

"This is a popular comfort drink for the cold winter nights typical of the Andes. The aroma of wine simmering with fragrant spices is absolutely irresistible. It warms the heart and the stomach."

2 cups water
1/4 cup sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
4 cloves
4 thin lemon slices
4 thin orange slices
4 cups dry red wine

Place the water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and cloves in a medium-size nonreactive saucepan. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove from the heat, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes.

Add the lemon and orange slices and wine. Return to the heat, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes.

Remove from the heat, strain, and serve at once in coffee cups.

Serves 4
Source: The South American Table: The Flavor and Soul of Authentic Home Cooking from Patagonia to Rio de Janeiro, with 450 Recipes by Maria Baez Kijac