Let's drink to Fall....

The winds have shifted, the frogs have stopped singing and I'm feeling that crisp bite of Autumn in the air. Fall reminds me of nature and connecting with Mother Earth as she subtlety changes her hues to vibrant colors of reds, oranges and yellows. I'm going to my girlfriend's house on Saturday for a visit. We usually cook something up together and I thought it would be fun to make this Autumn Punch by Better Homes and Gardens. Love the flavors!

Autumn Punch

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.)

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

I am actually liking that non-alcoholic version. :)

Let's drink to Fall!

Photo and recipe courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens