Orange Spiced Apple Cider Food

ORANGE SPICED CIDER

Steps:

• In a 3-qt. slow cooker, combine the first five ingredients. Place cloves in a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with kitchen spring to form a bag. Add bag to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until heated through. Before serving, discard spice bag and stir cider. If desired, serve with orange slices, apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

SLOW COOKER HOT SPICED APPLE CIDER (WASSAIL)

Steps:

• Pour apple cider into a 2.5-quart or larger Crock Pot or other slow cooker. Add cinnamon sticks.
• With a toothpick, poke holes all around the orange, about 1/2 inch to 1 inch apart. Carefully poke the cloves into the toothpick holes in the orange.
• Place orange into the cider in the slow cooker.
• Cook on low until hot and spiced through, about 4 hours. Ladle into mugs along with an ounce or so of rum if using. Place a cinnamon stick in each glass if desired and serve.

SPICED ORANGE-CINNAMON CIDER

Steps:

• Combine orange juice, apple cider, orange slices, lime slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise in a large saucepan.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Remove cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. Stir in honey and keep warm.
• Pour warm cider into cups and garnish with a cinnamon stick for stirring and several orange and lime slices.

SPICED CIDER

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium heat, add the apple cider. Stir in the brown sugar, allspice and nutmeg until the sugar is dissolved and bring to a low boil.
• Stick the pointy ends of the cloves into the orange so that just the buds of the cloves are visible. The entire orange should be covered with the cloves.
• Add the orange to the cider and reduce the heat to simmer. Cover and continue cooking for 20 minutes.
• Serve in warm mugs with a cinnamon stick garnish. For adults, add bourbon to the cider.

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 CIDER

Steps:

• Place the cinnamon stick, cloves, allspice and bay leaf on a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with kitchen string to form a bag. , In a large saucepan, combine the apple cider, juices, orange zest, brown sugar, salt and spice bag. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer mixture for 30 minutes to blend flavors. Discard spice bag. Strain cider mixture and stir in brandy if desired. Serve immediately.

SPICED WARM APPLE CIDER

Steps:

• In a 3 quart saucepan, combine cider, orange juice concentrate if using, sugar, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, ginger, and cloves.
• Heat to a simmer and allow to cook 20 minutes.
• Strain into a pitcher and garnish with orange slices.
• Serve warm.
• Enjoy!