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.