A New Year's Drink

Staying sober on New Year's Eve for the drive home is a given; at least one per car, anyway.  If you are having folks over, or even just on a cold, winter day, Mulled Cider is the drink of choice. It's pretty easy to make and used to be quite popular (at least in the northern states). This recipe makes 4 cups, so adjust it appropriately for your needs.

Mulled Cider (Spiced Apple Cider)

• 1 quart apple cider or juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 20 whole black peppercorns
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 ~ 2 Tbs brown sugar
• zest from 1/2 orange

Toast the cinnamon, cloves, and peppercorns by heating a pan over medium heat with the spices in the pan.  Toss the spices in the pan occasionally to prevent them from burning.  The spices should become very fragrant within a minute or two.

Pour the apple juice into the pan and bring to a boil. When the apple juice gets warm, stir in the brown sugar so it fully dissolves.

Once the apple juice is boiling, reduce the heat so it just simmers; add the citrus zest at this time (you can use orange, lemon or lime). Simmer (not boil) for thirty minutes.

Pour the mulled juice/cider through a strainer. I use a coffee filter tucked into a hand strainer so the juice is clear.

Serve hot.

You can prepare this ahead of time and refrigerate for up to a week; bring it back up to a simmer before serving.