Hot, seasonal drinks are one of the best things about the winter. They’re great at parties or to be enjoyed alone, to bring with you in a thermos on a winter picnic or to enjoy cozied up by the fireplace. One of the best ones out there is hot cider, which is fragrant, festive, and makes your house smell amazing when you make it.
This recipe is quite flexible, but you’ll generally want to use the following ingredients:
- Apple juice or apple cider
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves
- Allspice
- An apple
- An orange
- Whiskey or rum as an option to make spiked hot cider
Once you’ve got all the necessary ingredients, it’s really quite simple. Just put all of your ingredients (except for the alcohol) in a large pot and bring to a boil. Cover the pot, reduce the heat, and let it all simmer for an hour.
Mash the fruits with a potato masher to get all the flavor out. Strain out the solids and pour yourself a glass. Optionally, add a splash of whiskey or rum and garnish with a slice of fruit if you’d like. Anything you have left over can last in the fridge for up to a week—but we highly doubt there will anything left!
