by: Elliott Clark
Cook Time
90 minutes
Prep Time
20 minutes
Yield
8 drinks
Total Time
90 minutes
Prep Time
20 minutes
Yield
8 drinks
summary
Perfect for Halloween night sipping or firepit gatherings, this apple cider recipe is redolent with sweet spices and fresh apples. So easy to make, the spiced apple cider begins with freshly sliced apples that simmer with brown sugar, orange juice, orange slices and an aromatic mix of cinnamon, star anise, cloves, allspice and nutmeg. Serve the hot apple cider as is for a warming non-alcoholic beverage for all ages or spike it with an ounce of your favorite spirit.
ingredients
- 10–12 apples, sliced
- 5 cinnamon sticks broken in half
- 2–3 whole star anise
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 whole nutmeg
- 3 whole allspice
- 2 oranges (1 halved and juiced into the pot, and 1 sliced into wheels)
- ½ cup brown sugar
directions
- Combine all ingredients in a large stockpot. For the nutmeg, grate some into the pot before dropping in the whole nutmeg. Cover the mixture with water and bring it to a simmer on medium heat.
- Reduce to low heat and let cook for 1 hour until the apples are softened. Lightly mash the apples and continue cooking on low heat for 30 minutes. Taste test to see if the cider is ready and to your liking. Ladle the cider into a mug. Enjoy as is, or, for an adult beverage, add 1.5 ounces of bourbon (or any aged spirit you enjoy). Garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange wheel.
- To store, allow the cider to cool before straining out the solids through a fine mesh strainer (or cheesecloth). Store in a glass bottle in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
