How to Make Hot and Spicy Holiday Cider

The scent of hot cider puts everyone in a holiday party mood. This easy and inexpensive cider is a great adult drink since it's spicy and not too sweet. Besides tasting great, the floating spices and orange slices look really cool in a crock pot where everyone can serve themselves.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 gallon of apple cider
• 1 orange
• 3 sticks of cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4-6 whole cloves
• 4-6 star anise pods
• Optional - 1-2 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper
• Crock pot
• Ladle

1. Pour one gallon of apple cider (preferably organic and non-filtered) into a crock pot. Add all the spices and stir. Cut the orange in half. Squeeze the juice of one half of the orange into the crock pot. Cut the other half orange in half again, then into thin slices. Put the slices into the crock pot. Put the glass lid onto the crock pot.

2. Turn the temperature to high to heat the cider in about 1/2 hour. Turn the temperature to low to maintain a drinkable temperature. The star anise, cinnamon sticks and orange slices will float on the surface and create a festive holiday look. For really spicy hot cider, add 1 1/2- 2 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper!

3. The glass lid can be taken off while people help themselves with a ladle or small cup. Since the ladle will be sticky, have a small plate ready to hold the ladle in between refills.

Tips & Warnings

• Cost Plus World Market stores are a great place to get spices like star anise, cloves, cayenne pepper and stick cinnamon at very reasonable prices.
• Spruce up the crock pot by decorating around the base with seasonal elements such as evergreens, holiday ornaments, nuts (in shells), apples and tangerines.
• If there is any hot cider left at the end, be sure to let it cool down before putting the lid on, lifting out the ceramic bowl and refrigerating it for use the next day. Just add freshly-cut orange slices to rejuvenate it for the second day.
• Always use care when working with hot liquids.
• Remember to turn off the crock pot at the end of the party.

[danielzrib]

on 12/24/2007 This sounds delicious! Just the thing to warm you up on a cold day :o)