Happy Gaudete Sunday!

(Scale up in proportion. Make WAY more than you THINK you’ll need.)

2 bottles dry white wine
2 VERY healthy sloshes Cointreau or Grand Marnier – Orange Liqueur
Dark brown sugar (start with 1/3 cup)
Honey (to taste)
Star Anise
Cinnamon
Whole Cloves
Nutmeg
Ginger

Warm it up. Ladle it into heat-proof vessels.  I am personally using copper mugs (usually deployed in the summer for Mule drinks of all kinds – Moscow, London and Messico.)

And here’s a joyful musical interlude: “Christmas Is Coming” off the Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack. Enjoy!