Winter Solstice + Yule Brew
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Magical Solstice brew (or just a magical Christmas brew).

Set the mixture a whole month before the solstice,
ideally on the new moon (i.e. mid–end of November).

Ingredients
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• 2½ cups red wine (e.g. Pinot Noir)
• ½ cup brandy
• 1 fresh organic orange
  (super important; if you can’t find an organic orange,
  substitute 1½ tablespoons of dried organic orange peel)
• 1 inch fresh ginger root
• 3 true (sweet) cinnamon sticks
• 5 whole cloves
• 7 whole cardamom pods
• 2 whole star anise
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon dried elderberries (delicious immuno-support boost)

Method
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Thinly slice both the orange (unless substituted) and the ginger root.
Crush the cardamom pods with the back of a spoon.

Combine all ingredients in a quart-sized jar. Shake well to combine.

Allow mixture to sit up to four weeks, if possible.

On the actual holiday, pop it all in a large saucepan or slow cooker,
add ¼ to ½ cup of raw honey (sweeten to taste) and gently warm the
liquid, for immediate consumption.