Holiday Champagne Punch Recipe

• 3 whole cloves
• 2 star anise pods
• 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice berries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 (1-inch) piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced (no need to peel)
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped, seeds reserved
• 2 medium pears, such as Bartlett or Anjou, cored and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or triple sec
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1 medium lemon)
• 2 (750-milliliter) bottles champagne or dry sparkling wine
• 1 ice block
• 1 medium blood orange, sliced into half-moons
• 1 cup kumquats, thinly sliced (optional)

1. Place the cloves, anise, and allspice in a small saucepan and toast over medium-high heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
2. Add the sugar, water, ginger, and vanilla seeds, whisk to combine, and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, whisking occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the flavors have combined, about 8 minutes.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool slightly, about 15 minutes.
5. Pour the spiced syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium heatproof bowl and discard the contents of the strainer.
6. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
7. Add the pears, brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice to the cooled syrup and stir to combine.
8. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
9. Meanwhile, chill the champagne or sparkling wine.
10. When ready to serve, place the ice block in a 4-quart punch bowl.
11. Pour the spiced syruppear mixture over the ice block.
12. Add the blood orange and kumquat slices, if using.
13. Gently stir in the champagne or sparkling wine (do not overmix or your punch will be flat) and serve immediately.

cloves, anise pods, whole allspice berries, granulated sugar, water, ginger, vanilla bean, bartlett, brandy, orange liqueur, freshly squeezed lemon juice, bottles champagne, block, orange, kumquats

Taken from www.chowhound.com/recipes/spiced-pear-champagne-punch-30686 (may not work)