Sweet Vermouth II

Sweet Vermouth

Simmer, for 15 minutes, 1 cup dry white wine (from one bottle) with:

1 1/2 teaspoon granulated orange peel

1 teaspoon dried chamomile

8 cardamom pods

1 star anise

1 teaspoon dried lavender

1 cinnamon stick

1/2 teaspoon wormwood leaf

1 teaspoon galangal

1/2 teaspoon angelica

5 cloves

1/2 teaspoon coriander seed

 

Strain and add:

remaining wine from bottle

1/2 cup brandy

1/2 cup sweet wine (or 3 TBSP ruby port, 1 TBSP brandy, and 4 TBSP water)

 

Set aside.  Meanwhile, caramelize 1/2 cup sugar until deep caramel brown.  When sugar has cooled slightly, at 1/4 cup boiling water and stir over low to medium heat to dissolve caramel.  Combine caramel with wine mixture.  Chill.