The weather outside is frightful...

but, taking the obvious cue from the song, I say let it snow! We have a pile of firewood at the ready and, to enjoy along with the blaze, I'm stirring together some hot spiced wine.

This mulled wine drink is a cold-weather classic. It should perhaps be noted, for the benefit of anyone similarly situated, that I am not a fan of red wine in its pure state. However, once flavored with fruit and spices and sweetened slightly, red wine miraculously transforms into a cocktail of choice. In the summer, we raise glasses of sangria. In winter, the addition of heat to the beverage results in mugs full of steaming, fruity goodness.

My favorite version of hot spiced wine is one copied years ago from Bon Appetit. The use of apple cider perks up any basic red wine, and the citrus and spice flavors finish it off beautifully. I have always heated it in, and served it directly from, a pot on the stovetop, but a crockpot would also be a fine way to keep the beverage warm for several hours for entertaining purposes.

So while the snow outside shows no signs of stopping, no matter. Indoors, we shall be toasty - and toasting! - in front of the fire. And that truly is delightful.

Hot Spiced Wine (adapted from Bon Appetit)

1 bottle (750 ml) red wine (approx. 3 1/4 cups)

3 cups apple cider

1/4 cup sugar

1 orange, thinly sliced

1 lemon, thinly sliced

1 lime, thinly sliced

3 2-inch cinnamon sticks

8 whole cloves

8 allspice berries

8 whole black peppercorns

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through (but do not boil). Ladle (strained) liquid into mugs and serve hot.