Spicy Hot Apple Cider
Fall—is that you? It IS! The first week of fall weather is here. With the temps dropping at night, I can enjoy my Spicy Hot Apple Cider any time I want without breaking a sweat. This drink is so easy to make and the best thing is that you have control to adjust the flavors to your taste. Enjoy!
Level: Easy
Time: 10 minutes
Yields: 10 Lovely Hot Drinks
Ingredients:
½ gallon fresh apple cider
1 cup apple brandy (Optional)
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
¼ cup honey
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pinch salt
10 thin strips orange zest
10 small cinnamon sticks
Directions:
Combine apple cider, apple brandy, 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, pepper, and salt in a pot over medium-high heat. Simmer until flavors combine, about 10 minutes.
While those flavors are combining, use vegetable peeler to peel 10 thin strips of orange peel making sure that there isn't any white pulp.
Pour apple cider mixture into heat-proof mugs. Twist orange zest strips between your fingers to release the essential oils; drop 1 into each mug. Add 1 cinnamon stick to each mug.
**Chef's tip: for hot apple cider with a punch, simmer a pinch of red pepper flakes with the apple cider mixture.