Quentão - Brazilian Mulled Wine

Quentão (Portugese for "big heat") is a traditional drink for the Brazilian Festa Junina, a Catholic celebration of Saints John the Baptist, Peter and Anthony. It will definitely help keep your toes warm this winter. From Houston's Fogo de Chao as published in our local paper.

• Ready In: 10 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  cup sugar
• 2  cinnamon sticks
• 2  pieces lemongrass
• 1  fresh pear, sliced
• 1  fresh peach, sliced
• 1  fresh apple, sliced
• 1  tablespoon whole cloves
• 1  pint water
• 1 (750 ml) bottle red wine (Merlot, Cabernet, or Burgundy will all work)
• 1 1⁄2 ounces Cointreau liqueur
• 3  ounces cachaca (rum may be substituted if you can't find the cachaca)

Directions

1. Combine all the fruit and condiments in a saucepan.
2. Add water and heat to a boil; boil two minutes.
3. Add the wine and boil for another two minutes.
4. Reduce heat to warm and add the Cointreau and the cachaça (or rum).
5. Serve hot.