hot apple cider

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Apples are in season and as we get into cooler weather what's nicer than a mug of hot apple cider? Here's how I made it for Thanksgiving last year:

Ingredients

6 cups organic apple juice
1/4 cup real maple syrup you can use way less – let's face it apple juice is sweet on its own
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries I never really use these but if you have them laying around go for it
1 orange peel cut into strips optional
1 lemon peel cut into strips optional

Instructions

Pour the apple juice and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan.
Place the 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. I'm not that concerned if it all sits in the broth loose – just be careful not to pour it into your mugs when you serve it.
Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes or until the cider is very hot but not boiling. You can leave it on the lowest simmer during a party.
Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired I never do that part – it looks fancy and nice but feels like a bit of a waste of a cinnamon stick – so it's optional.

What's your favorite fall beverage?

More Kind Recipes:

Hawaiian Pumpkin Bread
Dreamy Pear Trifle
Vegan Pumpkin Bread
Chayote Ceviche