Apple Cider

Hot Apple Cider

This recipe is extremely easy and delicious.
Ingredients:

• 12 cups apple cider
• 3 naval oranges
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 4 cinnamon sticks, 12 more for garnish
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 3-4 tablespoons sugar (optional)

Stove Top Directions:

1. Pour apple cider into large pot. Place 4 cinnamon sticks in and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Once the cider boils, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Squeeze the juice of 3 to 4 oranges into the cider. Pour in honey, sugar, pineapple juice, and sprinkle nutmeg. Place four slices of oranges in the cider. Bring to boil over medium heat. Cover and simmer 5 minutes.
3. Keep warm over low heat.
4. Using a ladle, pour into cups. Place one cinnamon stick in the cup. Serve warm.

Slow Cooked Apple Cider
Ingredients:

• 36 cups apple cider
• 4 naval oranges, juice squeezed into the apple cider and cut in 4 pieces each
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 4 cinnamon sticks, plus more for stirring
• 1 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon nutmeg and cinnamon
• 1/2 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Pour apple cider, pineapple juice, squeezed orange juice, and 4 cinnamon sticks in the pot.
2. Heat on high. Bring to a boil.
3. Add honey, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and 4 orange slices. Stir.
4. Turn to low. Stir to be sure sugar dissolves. Keep warm on low.

This would make a perfect adult party drink. Just add some rum to the mix and keep warm.
Cold Apple Cider
For a cool cider, follow the stove top recipe. Instead of keep warm, pour into a gallon pitcher over ice cubes. Add another 1/4 cup sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, cover top, and chill till ready to serve.
or:
Pour 1 gallon apple cider, 1 1/2 cups frozen orange juice, 1/2 cup frozen pineapple juice, and stir together in a large bowl or a pitcher. Place 3-4 cinnamon sticks in the liquid, slice 1 orange in circle for garnish and serve.

Apple Cider Coffee

This is perfect for a brunch or late autumn night drink.
Ingredients:

• 4 cups apple cider
• 4 cups water
• 8-10 tablespoons coffee (regular or decaf)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon for coffee grains
• 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange zest
• 1-2 oranges, cut in half (for juice)
• 1 orange, cut in 8 slices for garnish
• Honey for drizzle

Directions:

1. Place coffee grains, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, and orange zest in a small bowl. Blend together and place in coffee filter.
2. Pour 4 cups water and 2 cups apple cider in the reservoir.
3. Put 2 cinnamon sticks drizzled with honey and sprinkled with 1/2 cup brown sugar in the coffee pot. Pour in 2 cups apple cider. Stir.
4. Brew coffee.
5. After it is completely brewed, squeeze orange juice into coffee. Stir well.
6. Pour in eight cups with 1 piece of orange on the side. Serve hot and have sugar and sweetener to the side for those who want it.

These apple cider recipes are sure to add a taste and warmth of autumn to the home.