Spiced Cider Bundles

Name: Spiced Cider Bundles
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings per batch.
Ingredients: Cheesecloth; 24 whole cloves; 24 whole allspice; 4 teaspoons dried orange peel; 4 cinnamon sticks (3 inches); ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR SPICED CIDER:; 8 cups apple cider or juice

I like to enhance the naturally good taste of hot apple cider with a bundle filled with cloves, allspice, dried orange peel and a cinnamon stick. It really warms you up on a winter day.—Alissa Stehr, Gau-Odernheim, Germany

Ingredients

Cheesecloth
24 whole cloves
24 whole allspice
4 teaspoons dried orange peel
4 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR SPICED CIDER:
8 cups apple cider or juice

Directions

Cut eight 6-in. squares of cheesecloth; stack two squares on top of each other to make four stacks.
Place 6 cloves, 6 allspice, 1 teaspoon orange peel and 1 cinnamon stick on each stack; bring up corners of cloth and tie with string to form a bag. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Yield: 4 bundles.
To prepare cider: Place cider in a Dutch oven; add one spice bag. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes. Discard spice bag; ladle cider into mugs.

Editor's Note: To make dried orange peel, finely grate the peel from two oranges; spread in a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 200° for 16-20 minutes or until dry.