Hot Apple Cider
Now that the holidays are almost over, I feel like reality is about to set in: there are still about 10 rough weeks of cold and gray weather ahead. It also looks like we’ll be dodging COVID for the foreseeable future which is a fun bonus. Sounds like a real party!
So what are we going to do to not only survive, but thrive? My personal plan is to continue transforming our home into the cozy nest that normally gets us through these things. That means leaving up my strings of indoor Christmas lights, adding to my stack of cozy couch blankets, and sipping on some delicious hot apple cider.
Hot beverages are a must in our house, especially since we don’t exactly crank up the heat. I absolutely love English breakfast tea with a hearty splash of fat free half-and-half, but I try to limit my consumption to about three cups a day. Hot chocolate is delicious, but that too should probably be consumed in moderation.
Trying to step up my hot drink game, I came across an IG post in which someone was talking about hot cider. So what, just heat up some cider? Sounded weird – and kind of dull. But then I thought back to my Thanksgiving turkey apple cider brine and how great that smelled.
After a quick trip through the supermarket spice racks, I began experimenting and have perfected a deliciously sweet, delicately spiced hot drink to add to the repertoire. Above all, I feel like the amazing taste and smell of cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole allspice berries, and orange slices in cider will give the house a holiday feel long after these last days of December are done.
Hot Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider
- 3 whole cinnamon sticks
- 8 whole allspice berries
- 2 pods star anise
- 2 orange slices
Instructions
- Pour 3 cups of apple cider into a pot.
- Add 3 whole cinnamon sticks (I cut mine in half because the pot wasn't huge), 8 allspice berries, 2 whole star anise pods, and 2 orange slices, with the peel, to the cider.
- Heat on medium high until bubbling.
- Lower the heat to medium and let the mixture simmer for at least 40 minutes. You can let it go longer to intensify the flavors if you want, but some of the cider with evaporate.
- Hold a small strainer over a large mug and ladle the hot cider into the mug.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick if desired.
