Hot Apple Cider

Nothing beats a mug of hot cider on a cold winter day. This recipe is great as it calls for fresh apple cider and pure maple syrup. Start with only 6 strips each of the orange and lemon peel, and adjust to taste.

• Preparation Time: 5 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Calories: 163 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ cup real maple syrup
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange peel, cut into strips
• 6 cups apple cider
• 6 whole cloves
• 6 whole allspice berries
• 1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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

Step 4

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.