Sauced’s Mulled Wine

Ingredients

For vanilla syrup (made the night before)
¼ c. water
¼ c. white sugar
4 vanilla beans, cut lengthwise (if no beans are available, substitute 1 tbsp. real vanilla extract)

1. Boil water and sugar together with vanilla beans for 1 minute.

2. Cool and remove vanilla beans. Refrigerate.

For punch mix
4 c. house red wine
1 c. port wine
½ c. brandy
1 c. sparkling water
1 cinnamon stick
1 navel orange or sweet apple, cut into slices
½ c. vanilla syrup
2 sticks fresh nutmeg

1. Mix together all ingredients in a saucepan and heat until almost boiling. (Hint: Be very careful not to boil — alcohol will cook down.)

2. Transfer to large thermos or carafe. When serving, grate fresh nutmeg over the top.

Sauced, 753 Edgewood Avenue, at Waddell Street (404-688-6554 or saucedatlanta.com).

Photo: a song under the sugar sugar / Flickr