Apricot-Apple Cider

Name: Apricot-Apple Cider
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 20 min
Yield: 13 servings (2-1/2 quarts).
Ingredients: 8 cups unsweetened apple juice; 1 can (12 ounces) ginger ale; 1/2 cup dried apricots, halved; 1/2 cup dried cranberries; 2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches); 1 tablespoon whole allspice; 1 tablespoon whole cloves

Dried apricots give this comforting cider a delicious twist. Add cranberries, cinnamon, allspice and cloves, and you've got the perfect hot drink to sip on cool nights. —Ginnie Busam, Pewee Valley, Kentucky

Ingredients

8 cups unsweetened apple juice
1 can (12 ounces) ginger ale
1/2 cup dried apricots, halved
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
1 tablespoon whole allspice
1 tablespoon whole cloves

Directions

In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine apple juice and ginger ale. Place the apricots, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, allspice and cloves on a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with string to form a bag. Place in slow cooker; cover.
Cook on high until heated through, 3-4 hours. Discard spice bag.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 79 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fruit.

Originally published as Celtic Spiced Cider in Taste of Home Everyday Slow Cooker & One Dish Recipes 2008