Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Mulled Apple Cider

Hey guys! Today I'll be sharing my recipe for Mulled Apple Cider! Now this drink is delicious on its own, but if you want to get fancy and are looking for something boozy, I've got a good option for that, too!

This Mulled Apple Cider embodies fall. It's got the crisp taste of the apples, melded with the warm spices, all heated up into a nice cozy drink. It's perfect to whip up on a crisp fall day, and will make your house smell AMAZING. It's also incredibly easy to make, so we'll dive right into the recipe!
Mulled Apple Cider: Serves 4-8, depending on how big of a serving you would like!

Ingredients:
- 1/2 gallon apple cider, or unfiltered apple juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 pods star anise
- 4 pods cardamom
- 4 black peppercorns
- 8 whole cloves (appx. 1 tsp)
- 12 allspice berries (appx. 1/2 tsp)
- Bourbon (optional!)
1. Double up a 12" square of cheesecloth, and place the spices in the center. Then, tie the ends of the cheesecloth together or tie a piece of cooking twine around the top to make a little bundle of spices.

Note: You can also totally skip the cheesecloth, you'll just have to strain the spices out later.
2. Pour the cider into a large pot and add the sachet of spices. Then, bring the cider to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

3. Once the cider has come to a boil, remove the pot from the heat, cover, and let sit for 30 minutes (or more if you want!) to let the spices steep.
4. Once the spices have steeped into the cider to your liking, ladle your Mulled Apple Cider into cups and serve!
5. If you want to make a boozy version, just pour a shot's worth of bourbon (I used Bulleit, which is one of my favorites) into the cup before ladling the cider. Then, ladle that cider, give it a stir, and it's ready to serve!
How easy is that? This Mulled Apple Cider is a surprisingly-quick-to-put-together fall drink, that's a total crowd-pleaser. And once more for emphasis, it will, legit, make your house smell amazing.

I hope you get a chance to try it out soon!

Til next time!

-Becca
Follow me on:

24 comments:

  1. yum! I love a good cider, but I've never attempted anything at home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely worth a try! It's super easy and makes your house smell SO good.

      Delete
  2. cider!!! my fav drink during the colder months, bookmarking this one :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ooh this looks so good! I might actually juice some of the billion apples we got from someone and make freshly-pressed cider like this. It sounds delicious!
    xo
    Kristina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, that sounds amazing! I'm always dreaming of getting a cider press. Someday...

      Delete

  4. You always make everything looks so easy. That is another one for my recipe book

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thank you! This one is definitely SUPER easy! Foolproof even!

      Delete
  5. That looks like such a great recipe, I love my cider spicy too with lots of pepper!
    Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I like that, too! I almost added a couple of dried chiles to the mix, but wimped out at the last minute. I'm going to try it next time for sure!

      Delete
  6. Mmmm this looks fabulous! I've never heard of star anise but they are the cutest little things!!

    Kels
    storiesofkel.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Isn't star anise the prettiest? It's got a nice, almost licorice-y flavor. I love the stuff!

      Delete
  7. Oh my gosh, that looks so amazing!! ^__^

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds nummy! ^__^
    I use that exact same Bourbon for my bakeries homemade vanilla.

    Happy autumn!
    - Isabelle @ Head Red + Blondi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Isabelle! You make homemade vanilla? That's amazing! I must try that sometime!

      Delete
    2. It's super simple: Put a package of vanilla beans {I use Madagascar vanilla beans} in the Bourbon and set aside in a pantry or cupboard of some sort and leave for 2 months. :-)

      Delete
  9. Yum yum yum!

    Xo, Hannah

    sweetsweetnoir.net

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ooooh, Marlen, something tells me you were shopping in the spice aisle where everything comes in little jars and costs a bajillion dollars. Lady, let me tell you, it is all about the bulk section! I usually buy my spices there and they cost pennies. Seriously, check it out! World Spice, down by the market is also amazing. I always think I'm going to be spending $20, and it comes to like, $6.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've never made cider at home, I may have to try this!
    Amia
    www.teapotsandbelles.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should definitely try it out. It's super easy and the aroma alone makes it totally worth it.

      Delete
  12. I LOVE this although I have to say the bourbon is not optional ;) I like to make a big pot on Thanksgiving in the crock pot so people can serve it up all day. YUM. I've never added star anise before, I need to try that! Also I like your spice tips to Marlen in the comments- never looked in the bulk section before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, I hear ya, Lisa! Making it in a crock pot is such a great idea! The bulk spice section is where it's at. I hope you can find it at your local store.

      Delete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.