Creative Corner

More Apple Cider Please!

One of my favorite drinks to make when it is bitter cold outside is warm apple cider. The fresh smell of hot cinnamon around the house just takes a little bit of the chill away. I usually take the easy way out and buy the store bought version and just warm it up, but if you have a little time on your hands I recommend making this wonderful drink by hand. I have this really good recipe that I found online, so try it out. You won’t regret it.

Ingredients…

6 cups apple cider

1/4 cup real maple syrup

2 cinnamon sticks

6 whole cloves

6 whole allspice berries

1 orange peel, cut into strips

1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Directions…

Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan.

Place cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth. Fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.

Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling.

Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. 

Pour the cider and add a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving.