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| Cozy inside |
It’s true: as the weather gets colder and colder and colder, I find myself in the kitchen brewing up something warm to drink: Hot Chocolate; Tea, Coffee, Glöggi (a non-alcoholic version, in my case made with blackcurrant juice, and found in other parts of Europe) or this one – an American favorite: Spiced Apple Cider.
Now I know that you can by a powder-filled packet of spiced apple cider and add hot water; stir. And I know that you can buy a bag or box or tin of Mulling Spices, drop a few spoonfuls or tea-strainer full into a pot of Apple Cider and simmer for a while, and they will probably be just fine.
But for a really nice treat made from spices you may already have in your cupboard, you can get a beautiful Spiced Apple Cider that amps up your expectations of what Spiced Apple Cider should be.
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| Serve this up with the last of your Christmas treats – e.g. Coconut-Chocolate Pinwheels |
I prefer to use the cloudy apple cider – I get mine in a 3-liter box from Eat & Joy Maatilantori in Helsinki city center – you can probably find it by the liter or the gallon in any decent grocery store. I don’t like it overly sweet to start – you can add sugar to taste as you go. This is easy and delicious.
Spiced Apple Cider
4.5 cups / 1 liter of Cloudy Apple Cider
2 whole star anise
1 cinnamon stick
6 cardamom pods
6 whole cloves
6 whole black peppers
6 whole allspice (optional)
2 tablespoons of candied ginger (can substitute 1″ / 2.5 cm chunk of fresh ginger if you prefer)
1 orange, sliced or 6 slices candied orange peel (omit sugar if using)
2 tablespoons of sugar or more to taste
Pour the apple cider into a medium sized pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, add the spices and cover. Allow the cider to simmer with the spices for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and remove the lid. Allow to rest for 5 minutes. Ladle into mugs and serve.
Serves 4