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Spiced Drink

Spiced Hearthside Apple Cider

You’ll Need

Serves 6–8

• ½ gallon fresh unfiltered apple cider
• 1 navel orange, sliced into thin rounds
• 4 whole cinnamon sticks
• 3 whole star anise
• 6 whole cloves
• 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup (or raw honey)
• Cinnamon sticks & orange wheels, for garnish
• Optional: 1.5 oz bourbon or dark rum per mug (for adults)

The Method

1. Combine ingredients. Pour apple cider into a Dutch oven, heavy saucepan, or 4-quart slow cooker. Add orange rounds, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, cardamom pods, ginger, and maple syrup.
2. Simmer & steep. Bring to a low boil over medium heat, then lower heat to warm. Cover and simmer gently for 45 minutes to 1 hour (or 2–3 hours on LOW in a slow cooker) to steep the spices.
3. Strain. Ladle cider through a fine-mesh sieve into heat-safe mug stoneware.
4. Garnish & serve. Serve piping hot with a fresh cinnamon stick stirrer and an orange slice floated on top. If making an adult version, stir 1.5 oz bourbon into the mug before pouring cider.

Note

Keeping this in a slow cooker on the “warm” setting makes your house smell amazing all afternoon—ideal for autumn gatherings, pumpkin carving parties, or chilly October evenings.