Mulled Apple Cider Recipe
By
Regan Burns
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On a cold, blustery day, nothing warms you to the core like a nice hot cup of mulled cider. Black pepper adds an unexpected kick to this version.
Game plan: If you prefer, you can remove the steeping ingredients before serving by pouring the cider through a fine-mesh strainer.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 gallon apple cider or unfiltered apple juice
- 10 whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, lightly crushed
- 2 strips orange peel, about 2 inches long
- 6 dried allspice berries
- 4 heads star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- Orange twists, for garnish (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine all of the ingredients except the orange twists in a large pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let steep for 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve the cider in heatproof mugs garnished with an orange twist, if desired.
If I wanted to adultify this recipe, I would put in a little Calvados. Since it is an apple brandy, it would probably work well. I will try this VERY soon.
We made this to stay warm on Halloween night. This recipe received rave reviews (I threw in the fruit of half an orange, along with the peel). Added some spiced rum. Very festive!
For the more adult mulled cider....want it cinnamonny? (Is that a word?) Add some Goldschlager liqueur! I like my mulled apple cider with a little brandy, but I also like it with some gold rum. Excellent, coming in from the cold, on a wintery day! I make up my mulled cider, until JUST ready, strain, then cool and refrigerate, ready to reheat, on the stove or in the microwave, for those chilly walks in the cold.
violabratsche
Requesting suggestions to make this mulled cider a wee more, erhm, tipsy. Specifics are appreciated. Thanks, and merriment to all.
Yeah, Homecookwil, I'm betting they used juice for the picture. Unfiltered is so much darker and cloudy. FYI, I add Tuaca or rum to my spiced cider for an adult treat. Yum.
Mulled Apple Cider has always been my favorite drink throughout the winter. I make mine with the above spices too, but usually skip the black pepper. I like it more mellow with the fragrance of cardamom. I do have a question though. How do you make mulled UNFILTERED apple cider and end up with such a clear drink? Mine's always cloudy!
maybe this would be a good recipe to put out in October!