Mulled Pomegranate Apple Cider Food

MULLED POM-APPLE CIDER

Steps:

• Put the pomegranate juice and cider in a large non-reactive pot along with the dried fruits, orange zest, and spices. Warm gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 30 minutes. Take care not to let the mixture boil. Serve in clear mugs or glasses with spices and dried fruit, and add a splash of your favorite liquor.

MULLED POMEGRANATE CIDER

Steps:

• Place cinnamon sticks and cloves in the center of an 8-inch square of cheesecloth; tie with string.
• Bring spice bag, sugar, and the next 3 ingredients to a boil in a large pot, stirring occasionally.
• Decrease heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Remove spice bag (discard); stir in orange juice; serve hot or cold.

HOT SPICED APPLE CIDER

Steps:

• Place the apple cider, peppercorns, one of the cinnamon sticks, the cloves, and the star anise in a medium saucepan. Cut a large (1 by 4-inch) peel from the orange using a vegetable peeler and add it to the pan. Bring the cider mixture to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain into a 4-cup glass measuring cup and discard the solids.
• Pour the hot cider into mugs or heatproof glasses. Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon to each mug. Cut the orange in half through the stem, slice crosswise in 1/4-inch-thick half-rounds, and add one slice to each mug. Cut the apple in half through the stem, remove the core, slice crosswise in 1/4-inch-thick half-rounds, and add one slice to each glass.
• Serve hot with a cinnamon stick in each glass for stirring.

MULLED APPLE CIDER COCKTAIL

Steps:

• In a medium pot, over medium heat, add the cider, cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, cloves and nutmeg. Stir to blend. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Reduce by half and taste for seasoning. Set aside to cool. In a large bowl add the apples, lemon juice and sugar. Toss to coat and add to the cider. Refrigerate. When ready to serve the cocktails, pour the cider and apple pieces into champagne flutes (about halfway) and top with the Cava. Stir and serve.

MULLED APPLE CIDER

Steps:

• Tie small spices in a small cheesecloth and drop into the cider; allow cinnamon to just go on its own.
• Heat mixture on the stove and simmer for at least 30 minutes before serving, stirring occasionally to agitate the spices.
• Float orange slices on top of the cider.
• Pour into mugs and serve, with a cinnamon stick, if desired.
• Makes 1 gallon.