Chinese Five-Spice Mulled Wine

INGREDIENTS

1/2 Cup sugar
1, 750 ml bottle bold red wine (such as Syrah or Zinfandel)
1 Cup ruby Port
6 Cinnamon Sticks
2 whole Star Anise
6 Whole Cloves
1 tsp Fennel Seeds
1/2 tsp Whole White Peppercorns, cracked
1 Cup Cognac or brandy

STEPS

Bring 1/2 cup water and sugar to boil in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove syrup from heat; reserve.

Combine red wine and next 6 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Bring mixture almost to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low;cook just below simmer for 10 minutes. Strain into 4-cup measuring cup; discard spices.

Pour 2 Tbsp Cognac and 1 Tbsp syrup into each of 8 punch glasses. Add 1/4 cup hot mulled wine to each glass;stir to blend.

* Recipe from BonAppetit