Holiday Spiced Cider

December 22, 2010Katie

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Baby it’s cold outside…well sometimes.  We actually had a 75 degree day one day this week.  Ya just never know in Oklahoma.


The holidays are and have been upon us. We like to start a crockpot of this cider on Thanksgiving and Christmas and pretty much every weekend in between. Not only is it warm goodness to sip on in the evenings, but it makes your house smell heavenly as well.

But for the most part, the  weather here has dropped significantly requiring hoodies, sweaters, blankets. socks and the worst of all…pantyhose.  I hate pantyhose almost as much as I hate spiked high heels, and think it highly unfair that men don’t have to suffer the misery of either.  I mean, the things us woman have to endure to look marvelous..I tell ya..

Anyway, I actually like cool weather.  I realize that places that stay warm all year have their perks, but I love the change in seasons.  Especially here in Oklahoma.  I love it when the 100 degree days spiral down to the 80’s, and then the mercury continues to drop to even the 60’s and 50’s.  I love wrapping up in a blanket on a cold Saturday afternoon and popping in a movie.

But nothing makes it more perfect than a good cup of warm, fragrant Spiced Cider.

 

This recipe is made in your crock pot, but can be made in a pot on your stove as well. Just simmer it for 15 minutes or so on your stove and you’re good to go.  However, the added bonus to the crockpot over the stove is

#1)  if you walk away and forget about it, it won’t evaporate or reduce away, and

#2) the heavenly aroma it fragrances your home with all day long.

So, to begin, pour a gallon of apple cider into your crockpot.

cidercollage

Cloves.

cloves

Now, the spices of mulled cider beg for this spice, the most important ingredient of spiced cider.

Cloves just give it that little hint of something’ something’ at the back of your palate.  Add in one tablespoon of ground cloves.

allspice

Next, add 1/4 cup of brown sugar.  I like my cider smooth with just a hint of tartness.

sugar

Add 1 tablespoon of Allspice.

clovesin

Add 4-5 whole cinnamon sticks.  They look pretty floating on top.

cinnamonsticks

Slice up one whole orange.

oranges

And float the pieces right into the pool.

orangesin

Some people use juice, but I prefer the pretty oranges floating on top and also, this way you release the essential oils in the rind of the orange as well.

And that’s all folks.  Just pop on your crockpot lid and turn your setting to High.

lidon

I left mine like this for several hours, then turned it down to Low.

Mmmmm….

Now if you are a picky texture floaty person, you  might want to strain this before you serve it through some cheese cloth or a fine sieve.

However, as one person who refuses to drink pulp in orange juice, it didn’t bother me at all.  The spices kind of melt in with the cider.  But there may be some residue in the bottom of your cup, so you decide.

Ladle it out into a nice mug or cup.

final collage

During mid-afternoon at some point, it occurred to me that this would be fabulously amazing with one of my Triple Cinnamon Snickerdoodle Bars.  I think it was the incredible scent of the mix of apples and spices that drew me.

I made up a tray and set off to watch Patrick Swayze for the millionth time in Point Break on some off-cable channel.

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Let’s have a minute of silence in remembrance of Patrick.  I will always have the biggest crush on him that goes way back to the 80’s.  I remember being pregnant with Tori and with my hormones all out of whack, sobbing all the way to the parking lot after watching Ghost for the first time.  I was astounded to learn he was 57 when he died recently.  I would have guessed early 40’s.  He still looked that good.

So, it was a lovely, cool autumn day.

I was under a quilt, sipping Mulled Cider.

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Holiday Spiced Cider
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Drinks
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 1 gal. Apple cider
  • 1 T. ground cloves or 8 whole cloves
  • ¼ c. brown sugar
  • 1 T. Allspice
  • 4-5 whole cinnamon sticks
  • One whole orange sliced thinly
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to crockpot
  2. Turn on high heat
  3. Allow to heat to hot temperature then turn crockpot on low or warm for the rest of the day!
  4. After 2-3 hours can strain if desired or just serve with a little strainer and let guests ladle into their cups through the strainer.

It doesn’t get much better than that.

2 Comments

  • Sharon

    December 23, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    Hi Katie, Thaanks for the terrific recipes that have become 'make agains' at my house...Frosted Pumpkin Cookies, Shirred Eggs and Balsamic Glazed Mushrooms. I hope you and your family have an absolutely wonderful Christmas and I'm looking forward to new recipes and entertaining stories from you in 2011. Cheers, Sharon
    1. dishinanddishes

      December 23, 2010 at 9:23 pm

      Sharon - Merry Christmas to you as well! Have a wonderful holiday season!

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