Winter's Fruit Infusion

I use this recipe every Christmas

1 qt. water
1 1/2 c sugar
3 star anise
1/2 t. coriander seeds
1 vanilla bean split and scraped
(can use real vanilla to save cost)
3 black peppercorns
1 cinnamon stick
1 oz ginger root, peeled and sliced 1/4 in. thick

You may have to find a specialty shop for star anise, but it's a great flavor.

Bring all above to a boil, Cover and set aside 1/2 hour. Strain, then pour over the fruit. Cover and let set in fridge 4 hours. I use about 4 grapefruit and 4 oranges sectioned with some canned mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks. Pomegranate seeds make it pretty, if desired. To prepare the grapefruit and oranges, peel with a knife removing all skin. Separate each section by cutting into the fruit between the membrane and the fruit meat just to the center, then turn your knife toward the outside and cut out. Continue this until you have all sections removed.
You may also make a more tropical fruit bowl with fruits such as papaya, passion fruit, persimmon, mango, etc.