Christmas Kir

Ingredients

• 1 lemon (about 2 in. wide), rinsed
• 1 orange (about 2 1/2 in. wide), rinsed
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 can (11.5 oz.) cranberry-raspberry fruit juice concentrate
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 6 quarts sparkling apple juice, chilled

Preparation

1. 1. Slice lemon crosswise, discarding seeds and ends. With a vegetable peeler, pare peel from orange (colored part only); reserve orange for another use. In a food processor, whirl lemon and orange peel until finely chopped.
2. 2. In a 3- to 4-quart pan, combine citrus mixture, sugar, fruit juice concentrate, and dried cranberries. Boil over high heat, stirring often, until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, 3 to 4 minutes. Cover and chill until cold, at least 1 hour.
3. 3. Stir cranberry base. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the mixture, including fruit, into each glass (at least 1-cup size), add 3/4 cup sparkling apple juice, stir, and serve.