Punch

This German drink, called Grandmother's Punch, is usually enjoyed warm at midnight on Christmas Eve. You can also serve this as a refreshing chilled drink. For a festive touch, add a cinnamon stick to each glass.

• 2-1/4 cups water
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons chopped peeled fresh ginger
• 16 whole cloves
• 16 whole allspice
• 1 vanilla bean, chopped
• 1 tea bag
• 1 bottle dry red wine
• 1/4 cup dark rum
• Crushed ice (if serving punch chilled)

Combine water, honey, sugar, ginger, cloves, allspice and vanilla bean in heavy large saucepan. Bring mixture to boil over medium-high heat, stirring until honey and sugar dissolve. Boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tea bag; let steep 5 minutes. Strain syrup into bowl. Add wine and rum. If serving cold, refrigerate until chilled. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
If serving cold, fill 6 glasses with crushed ice. Ladle punch into glasses. If serving hot, bring to simmer in medium saucepan. Pour punch into cups.
Recipe makes six servings Spiced Rum and Tea Punch.