This is for my sweet and spicey friend. (adapted from my new favorite cookbook, Sunday Suppers at Luques)
In a piece of cheesecloth, gather a few sprigs of thyme, one bay leaf, 1 pepperoncino, 2 star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, and 3 black peppercorns, and tie with cotton string. Add slightly heaping 1/4 cup of sugar to a non aluminum saucepan, along with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, then add 1/2 cup of red wine, and 1/2 cup of orange juice and 1 1/2 cups of pitted cherries. Add the cheesecloth bundle. Simmer about 7 or 8 minutes until the cherries are just tender. Strain cherries and reserve. Reduce the liquid in the pan by setting it over a high heat until slightly thickened. Strain. Stir the cherries into the liquid. Taste for salt and pepper. Swirl in a tiny bit of butter.