A warming winter aperitif or evening drink before the hearth.
Serves 12 (or 2 snowed-in people)

Rind of one orange
Rind of one lemon
One Cup Water
2 Bay Leaves
6 Cloves
3 Cinnamon Sticks
One Cup Evaporated Cane Juice or Sugar
One Gallon Full-Bodied Red Wine
One Half Cup Honey
One Shot of Cognac (one ounce)
Pinch of Nutmeg

Remove Rind from orange and lemon with a potato peeler.

In a one and half gallon saucepan, combine water, lemon and orange rind, bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon sticks and sugar.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce Heat and simmer for 15 minutes.  Add wine and steep over a low flame for 10 to 12 minutes.  The wine must not boil. Remove from heat and stir in honey, cognac and pinch of nutmeg.  Strain wine into a warm serving pitcher or bowl and serve.  (wearing only an apron).  Garnish each glass with a lemon and orange slice, if desired.