Mulled Apple Cider - Seasonal Recipe

Mulled Apple Cider

🌍 Seasonal, Autumn Difficulty: ●●●○○

Wassail — the English ancestor of mulled cider — dates to at least the 13th century; "wassailing" orchards (parading and singing around apple trees) was a winter ritual to encourage next year's harvest.

Ingredients

• 2 litres (2 quarts) fresh apple cider (not juice — raw/unfiltered preferred)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp whole cloves
• 1 tsp whole allspice berries
• 3 star anise
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
• 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
• Optional: 240ml (1 cup) dark rum or bourbon

Method

1. Combining — Combine cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and star anise in a large pot.
2. Adding — Add orange and lemon slices.
3. Heating — Heat over medium-low heat until steaming — do not boil (boiling destroys delicate apple flavour).
4. Simmering — Simmer on low for minimum 20 minutes, up to 1 hour.
5. Adding — Add brown sugar or honey to taste. Add spirits if using.
6. Straining — Strain into mugs. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick and orange slice.

Tags: litres fresh apple cider, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, whole allspice berries, star anise · Source: Brittani's Almanac