Spiced Hot Apple Cider

Name: Spiced Hot Apple Cider
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Yield: 10 servings (3/4 cup each).
Ingredients: 2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches); 1 piece fresh gingerroot (about 1 inch), thinly sliced; 1 teaspoon whole allspice; 1 teaspoon whole cloves; 1/2 teaspoon cardamom pods, crushed; 2 quarts apple cider or juice; Rum, optional

During cool-weather season, my husband and I take this soul-warming drink outside by the fire pit. Our house smells amazing while the cider is simmering! —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Mississippi

Ingredients

2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
1 piece fresh gingerroot (about 1 inch), thinly sliced
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon cardamom pods, crushed
2 quarts apple cider or juice
Rum, optional

Directions

Place first five ingredients on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose spice mixture; tie securely with string.
Place cider and spice bag in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, to allow flavors to blend, 2-3 hours. Discard spice bag. If desired, stir in rum.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup (calculated without rum): 96 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 20mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.

Originally published as Hard Spiced Apple Cider in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2014