Holiday Winter Drinks

Clearing some cookbooks out, but needed to keep these recipes. They are delicious. Both recipes come from Betty Crocker. Grape juice can be substituted for the wine. Add some ginger ale or sugar free Sprite if too sweet.

Wassail

1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (about 3 cups)
2 cups apple juice
1/4 to 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
10 whole cloves
Apple wedges

Mix all ingredients except apple in 2 quart microwavable measure. Cover tightly and microwave on high 11 to 13 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes until boiling. Garnish each serving with apple wedge. 10 servings (1/2 cup each)
For non-alcoholic version, I find a half and half with white and purple grape juice works well.

Glogg

10 whole cloves
7 cardamom pods, crushed
2 sticks cinnamon
1 piece gingerroot, about 1/2 inch, if desired
2 cups water
10 whole blanched almonds, cut lengthwise into halves
1 3/4 cups raisins
1 cup pitted large prunes
1 orange, cut into 4ths
2 bottles (750 ml each) dry red wine
1 3/4 cups brandy
1 3/4 cups vodka
1/3 cup sugar

Tie cloves, cardamom pods and sees, cinnamon and gingerroot in cheesecloth bag. Heat spice bag, water, almonds, raisins, prunes and orange to boiling in Dutch oven; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 45 minutes. Remove spice bag, prunes and orange (Reserve prunes for eating if desired). Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and heat until mixture begins begins to bubble. Ladle almond half and a few raisins into each cup before filling with Hot Glogg.

24 servings (1/2 cup each).