Spiced Apple Cider

Ingredients


* 1 (64 fluid ounce) bottle apple cider
* 3 cinnamon sticks
* 1 teaspoon whole allspice
* 1 teaspoon whole cloves
* 1/3 cup brown sugar


Directions


In a crock pot, combine apple cider and cinnamon sticks. Wrap allspice and cloves in a small piece of cheesecloth or a tea ball/infuser ball, and add to pot. Stir in brown sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, and keep warm.

Hot, Buttered Apple Cider


Ingredients


* 1 (16 ounce) bottle apple cider
* 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice


Directions


o In a crock pot, over low heat, cook apple cider with maple syrup for 20 minutes or until steaming hot. Turn to low/warm setting to keep cider warm.
o In a small bowl, combine butter, nutmeg and allspice. Mix well.
o Pour cider into mugs and top with a teaspoon of spice butter.

Something a little Different!

Spiced Apple Cider with Clove Oranges


For a crowd of all ages, warm spicy cider imbued with fragrant citrus, cinnamon, cloves and star anise is a welcome beverage at a Thanksgiving gathering on a chilly day. Keep the cider hot in a big pot on the stove or on a warmer in the serving area. Ladle into mugs or heatproof glass cups.


Ingredients-


3 small oranges or tangerines, about 3/4th lb (375 g)


36 whole cloves


3 qt (3 l) apple cider


4 cinnamon sticks, plus 10-12 sticks each tied with an orange zest strip


2 star anise pods


Stud each orange with 12 cloves. Place the oranges in a large pot, pour in the cider and set over low heat. Tie the four cinnamon sticks and the star anise in a cheesecloth (muslin) bundle and add it to the pot. Bring to a simmer and keep warm over low heat until serving.


To serve, ladle into cups or glasses and garnish each serving with a cinnamon stick tied with orange zest.


Serves 10-14.

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