Warm Apple Cider

I love to have this cider during a cold day, and it usually starts around Thanksgiving. My sister in-law introduced me to this and that is when I fell in love with it.

She uses the Ina Garten?s recipe for her cider which I really like but it is a little on the sweet side

So I looked around on the web and found a great little recipe by The Way the Cookie Crumbles that I tried and really enjoyed.

I thought I would share both recipes depending if you like the less sweet and spicier version vs. Ina?s which is less spicy and a little sweeter.

Yield: 4-6 serving | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes

8 cups (½ gallon) pure apple juice or fresh apple cider

2 (2-inch) cinnamon sticks

4 whole cloves

2 star anise

6 allspice berries

2 strips orange zest, removed with vegetable peeler, each strip about 2 inches long by ½-inch wide, cleaned of any white pith

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Turn off heat, cover, and let sit for 30 minutes. Pour into mugs, straining if desired, and serve.

Yield: 12 servings | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes

16 cups pure apple juice or fresh apple cider

2 Orange Zests and Juice

8 whole cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

6 star anise

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Turn off heat, cover, and let sit for 30 minutes. Pour into mugs, straining if desired, and serve.

Other Thanksgiving Recipes:

Cranberry and White Chocolate Streusel Bars

Turkey Stuffing

Butternut Sqaush Apple Soup

Butternut Squash Purée with Orange, Ginger, and Honey