Warm Cider Cranberry Punch

Name: Warm Cider Cranberry Punch
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 10 min
Yield: 20 servings (3/4 cup each).
Ingredients: 1 bottle (64 ounces) cranberry juice; 6 cups apple cider or juice; 2 cans (12 ounces each) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed; 1 medium lemon, cut into wedges; 4 cinnamon sticks (3 inches); 2 teaspoons whole cloves; 1 teaspoon whole allspice; Cranberries and lemon peel strips, optional

I first made this at an instructional cooking camp. My kids loved it so much that, for a time, they insisted we make it every day. Serve it hot in the winter or with the ice during the summer. —Carol Gehringer, Raleigh, North Carolina

Ingredients

1 bottle (64 ounces) cranberry juice
6 cups apple cider or juice
2 cans (12 ounces each) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 medium lemon, cut into wedges
4 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
2 teaspoons whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole allspice
Cranberries and lemon peel strips, optional

Directions

In a 6-qt. slow cooker, combine cranberry juice, apple cider, lemonade concentrate and lemon. Place cinnamon sticks, cloves and allspice on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose seasonings; tie securely with string. Place in slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 3-4 hours or until heated through. Discard spice bag and lemon. If desired, garnish with cinnamon stick, cranberries and lemon peel.