Hot Apple Cider (Spiked Optional)
Warm, spiced apple cider that fills your house with the smell of cinnamon, cloves, and autumn. This is the real deal – made from scratch, not from a mix. Serve it hot on a cold day, or spike it with rum or bourbon for the adults. Perfect for fall parties, bonfires, or just cozying up on the couch.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon apple cider (not apple juice)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 1 tsp whole allspice berries
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Optional: rum, bourbon, or spiced rum for spiking
Instructions
- Pour apple cider into a large pot. Add brown sugar and stir to dissolve.
- Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice berries. You can put the spices in a cheesecloth bag or tea infuser for easy removal, or just strain later.
- Add orange and lemon slices to the pot.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low. Let simmer gently for 30-45 minutes to let the flavors meld. Do not boil.
- Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Remove spices and fruit slices (or leave them in for presentation).
- Serve hot in mugs. To spike: add 1-2 ounces of rum or bourbon per mug.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange slice. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated.