How to Make Hot Apple Cider

Spice up hot cider

Toast autumn's arrival with hot apple cider, the quintessential fall evening drink. With this easy-to-make crock-pot recipe, you will be ready in no time to serve a few mugs to your friends at a festive gathering, or just grab a mug for yourself and settle down before the warm hearth. For an extra treat, top it off with a dollop of whipped cream.

Things You'll Need

• 1 gallon apple juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 piece of cheese cloth
• Cooking twine
• 3-4 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks broken into small pieces
• 1 whole nutmeg
• Orange peel
• Small crock pot

Instructions

1. Place cloves, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg and orange peel in the cheese cloth. Draw the corners of the cheese cloth together and tie the twine around to create a small spice sack.

2. Pour apple juice into a crock pot and stir in the lemon juice with a wooden spoon. For tangier cider, you may opt to add a little more lemon juice.

3. Plug in the crock pot and set the heat on a low or medium setting. If you do not have time for the cider to heat slowly, use a high setting and stir more often.

4. Allow apple juice to heat for approximately 20 to 30 minutes or until warm.

5. Put the spice sack directly into the apple juice. Stir the cider occasionally, moving the spices around the crock pot if necessary.

6. Remove spice sack and discard once cider is heated to preferred temperature.

7. Pour the piping hot cider in a mug, with a handle if possible.

8. Serve the cider on its own or with a mildly sweet cookie or biscotti. You can also place a cinnamon stick in the mug when serving.