ingredients

• 2  teaspoons  whole cloves
• 1/2  of a  vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 1  64-ounce bottle  apple-cranberry juice
• 4  medium  purple and/or green plums, pitted and sliced
• 1  750-ml bottle  Gewurztraminer, or other fruity white wine*
•     Ice cubes

directions

1. Place cloves and vanilla bean in center of a double-thick 6-inch square of 100-percent-cotton cheesecloth. Bring corners of cloth together; tie closed with clean string. Pour apple-cranberry juice into a large container or pitcher. Add plums and spice bag. Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours.

2. Remove and discard cheesecloth bag. Stir in Gewurztraminer. Serve beverage and plum slices over ice. (Or omit the ice and heat the juice mixture and wine in a 4-quart Dutch oven until hot. Serve in heatproof mugs.) Makes 10 to 12 servings.

*Nonalcoholic Option: Substitute two 12-ounce cans chilled ginger ale for the Gewurztraminer, and serve over ice.