Ingredients

• 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 5 cardamom pods
• 3 black peppercorns
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 (750-ml) bottle dry red wine such as Côtes du Rhône
• 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
• 1 small orange, thinly sliced
• 1 small lemon, thinly sliced
• Special equipment: a 6- by 4-inch piece of cheesecloth; kitchen string

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Instructions

1. Wrap cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, peppercorns, and cloves in cheesecloth and tie with string. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a 5-quart heavy pot, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then add spice bag, wine, vanilla bean, and fruit. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes.