Gaspare’s Winter Punch

Bittersweet Campari ups the flavor factor in this festive holiday punch.

3/4 cup Campari
3/4 cup orange liqueur
2 750-ml. bottles medium-bodied red wine
6 cups cranberry juice
1 cup fresh (or frozen) cranberries
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Zest of 1 orange
6 cinnamon sticks
10 whole cloves
10 whole allspice
6 whole star anise
1 whole nutmeg
1 tsp. almond extract

Tools: 6-quart pan, wooden spoon, strainer, ladle
Glass: punch cups or mugs
Garnish: cinnamon stick and star anise

Sort cranberries and discard any bruised fruit. Rinse and place in a six-quart pan with raisins, orange zest, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice, nutmeg and cranberry juice. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes to blend flavors. Add wine and sugar and heat until steaming (6-8 minutes), taking care to not bring to a boil. Add Campari, orange liqueur and almond extract. Strain out cranberries and ladle into punch cups. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and star anise.

Julie Reiner, Flatiron Lounge in New York City and Clover Club in Brooklyn