Description
Ina Garten’s hot spiced apple cider brings warmth and comfort to chilly autumn gatherings. Fragrant cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest mingle with rich apple juice, creating a luxurious seasonal beverage perfect for welcoming friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 960 milliliters (4 cups) fresh apple cider
- 1 large navel orange
- 1 crisp red apple
Spices and Aromatics:
- 6 to 7 cinnamon sticks (5 to 7.5 centimeters / 2 to 3 inches)
- 4 whole black peppercorns
- 3 whole dried cloves
- 1 whole star anise
Optional Addition:
- 60 milliliters (2 tablespoons) good bourbon, such as Maker’s Mark
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, merge apple cider (960 milliliters), whole peppercorns, cinnamon stick, dried cloves, and star anise, creating a fragrant spice-infused base.
- Extract a lengthy strip of orange peel (2.5 centimeters by 10 centimeters or 1×4 inches) using a vegetable peeler, carefully adding it to the liquid mixture.
- Gradually elevate the temperature until the liquid reaches a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to generate a gentle, aromatic simmer for approximately 5 minutes.
- Carefully remove the saucepan from heat source and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring container, ensuring complete removal of solid spices and orange peel.
- Prepare garnish components by slicing the remaining orange into delicate half-rounds approximately 0.5 centimeters (¼-inch) thick, and similarly process the red apple into complementary half-moon shapes.
- Select heatproof mugs or glasses as serving vessels, pouring the warm, spiced cider with precision.
- For an optional adult version, incorporate bourbon (60 milliliters) into each individual serving.
- Artfully garnish each mug with an orange slice, an apple slice, and a cinnamon stick, transforming the beverage into a visually appealing and aromatic experience.
Notes
- Elevate your cider’s depth by selecting freshly pressed apple cider with rich, complex apple notes from local orchards or farmers markets.
- Gentle simmering transforms spices, releasing their aromatic essence without overwhelming the delicate cider base, creating a balanced and nuanced beverage.
- Precise straining ensures a smooth, refined drink by carefully removing whole spices, preventing unexpected texture disruptions in each comforting sip.
- Personalize sweetness levels by experimenting with honey, maple syrup, or a splash of fresh lemon juice to complement the cider’s natural flavor profile.
- Thoughtful garnishing adds visual appeal and subtle flavor complexity with crisp apple slices, fragrant cinnamon sticks, or bright orange wedges.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drinks, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (serves 4)
- Calories: 93
- Sugar: 13.8 g
- Sodium: 3 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.05 g
- Carbohydrates: 17.85 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 0.45 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg