Hot mulled cider

Prep 5 min

Total 30 min

Makes 8 cups

You should definitely pack some cider for your winter outings.

cups apple cider, unfiltered

orange

cloves, whole

tsp ground cinnamon

1/4

tsp ground allspice

1/4

tsp ground nutmeg

1/4

tsp ground cardamom

tbsp unpacked ground sugar

Simmer the apple cider with orange and spices
Pour the apple cider into a 3-quart saucepan, cover, turn the heat on medium-high.
While the cider is heating up, take a vegetable peeler and peel away a couple of thick strips of peel from the orange. Press about half of the cloves into the peeled part of the orange.
Place orange, orange peel strips, the remaining cloves, and the cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom and brown sugar into the saucepan with the cider.
Keep covered and heat the mulled cider mixture to a simmer and reduce heat to low.
Simmer for 20 minutes on low heat.
Strain out the orange and spices: Use a fine-mesh sieve to strain the hot mulled cider away from the orange, cloves, and other spices.
If you want, you can add a touch of bourbon, brandy, or rum to spike it up a bit.
Serve hot. Add a cinnamon stick to each cup if desired.