Spiced Apple Cider

Name: Spiced Apple Cider
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 6 cups apple cider or juice; 8 cinnamon sticks (3 inches); 2 lemon zest strips; 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 8 whole cloves; 4 slices red apple, cored and cut in half

When the temperature drops outside, I like to warm up family and friends with steaming mugs of simple spiced cider. The recipe can easily be doubled for a larger group.—Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri

Ingredients

6 cups apple cider or juice
8 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
2 lemon zest strips
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 whole cloves
4 slices red apple, cored and cut in half

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine the apple cider, cinnamon sticks, lemon zest and nutmeg. Insert a clove into each apple slice; add to cider.
Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 1 minute. Discard lemon zest strip. Ladle into mugs.