A spirited welcome to your holiday celebration, featuring the fruit of our local bogs. Served it chilled or mulled.
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 (750-milliliter) bottle fruity red wine, such as a Beaujolais or Zinfandel
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- Optional garnishes: fresh cranberries; orange, lemon, and lime slices
Bring cranberries, sugar, and water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes or until cranberries pop. Pour mixture through a non-reactive wire-mesh strainer into a bowl, using the back of a spoon to squeeze out juice. Discard solids.
To serve hot, transfer the cranberry mixture to a Dutch oven, add remaining ingredients, and heat through.
To serve cold, transfer the cranberry mixture to a large pitcher. Stir in remaining ingredients and chill 2 hours before serving over ice.
Serves 6.
