Recipes from Middle-earth by Harp_of_Gold  

Gwaith-i-Mírdain Hot Mulled Wine

While many of the scholars and artists of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain like to drink hard at parties and feasts, there's always something on the table to enjoy for those who plan to go right back to their research or craft afterwards and want to keep a clear head. Conveniently, this also means humans and dwarves don't have to awkwardly bring up their mortal health and former thralls are never asked to explain that one night in Angband that turned them off alcohol forever to get a good non-alcoholic drink.

Annatar may have his own reasons for appearing to drink more than he actually does. (The danger of losing control and letting the wrong words slip out is ever present in his mind.) As soon as Celebrimbor realizes what he's doing, he always makes sure to quietly fill Annatar's cup from the late-working scholars' wine.

It's too cold in Eregion for citrus and pomegranate to grow out of doors, but there are huge orangeries on the outskirts of the city where the fruits are grown under glass, and in bountiful years, traders from farther south bring boatloads of them upriver.

You can substitute a bottle of red wine for the fruit juices to make the alcoholic version.

Ingredients:

2 cups (475 mls) cranberry juice

2 cups (475 mls)  pomegranate-cherry juice

brown sugar or honey to taste

1 cinnamon stick

4-5 star anise pods

5-6 cloves

a few thin slices fresh ginger

dash of nutmeg

dash of allspice 

1 orange or tangerine, sliced into rounds

Combine all ingredients except sugar in a large saucepan. If you don't have whole spices on hand, use powdered instead. A couple good dashes should do. Cover with lid.

Heat to a simmer over low heat.

After a few minutes of simmering, taste and sweeten to your liking.

Simmer for half an hour, until flavors have melded.

Serve hot with an orange garnish.