I first had this when I was helping a friend put up a barn on a cold January day… when we finished, cold and tired, at that moment it was the best treat I’d ever had!  I hope you can find a time to enjoy this beverage with friends that doesn’t involve heavy manual labor.  All credit goes to my friend Maria H., the world’s greatest Minnesotan!

Ingredients

(note: do NOT put in wine until you’ve read all the directions ? )

• 1 qt apple juice                                
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 qt cranberry juice                          
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• ½ cup lemon juice                            
• 12 whole cloves
• 2 qt rose wine                                  
• 1 qt water
• Peel of 1 lemon, cut into strips

Directions

Combine cranberry and apple juices, water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and lemon peel in a pan.  Bring to a boil. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.  Add wine and lemon juice.  Heat, but do not boil!  Serve in punch bowl.  Garnish with lemon slices.  Serves 40… ish.  BE SURE PUNCH BOWL IS CAPABLE OF HOLDING HOT PUNCH!