Spiced Apple Cider Fall Drink
This Spiced Apple Cider recipe infuses fresh apple juice with cinnamon, cloves, and star anise for a drink that tastes like fall in a cup. It's perfect for cozy evenings or impressing guests with your seasonal culinary skills.
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh apple juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- 1 orange thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1 shot of rum or bourbon per serving for those who want a little "extra warmth"
Instructions
- Heat the Apple Juice: Pour 4 cups of fresh apple juice into a medium-sized saucepan.
- Add Spices: Toss in 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole cloves, and 1 star anise. Stir to combine.
- Sweeten It Up: Add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to the mix. Stir until dissolved.
- Slice the Orange: Thinly slice 1 orange and add the slices to the pan.
- Simmer and Infuse: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Let it simmer for 30-45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
- Strain the Spices: Use a fine mesh strainer to remove the spices and orange slices from the cider.
- Serve: Ladle the hot cider into mugs. If you're feeling adventurous, add a shot of rum or bourbon.
- Garnish: Optionally, garnish with an additional cinnamon stick or a slice of orange. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutritional Values (Per Serving)
- Calories: 120
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
Vitamins and Minerals (Per Serving)
- Vitamin C: 6%
- Potassium: 3%
- Calcium: 2%
- Iron: 1%
- Vitamin A: 1%
Additional Notes/Tips to Enhance the Flavor for the Recipe
- For a richer flavor, substitute a portion of the apple juice with pear juice.
- Adding a shot of bourbon or rum gives the cider an adult twist, perfect for holiday parties.
- For a stronger spice flavor, let the spices steep in the hot cider for an extra 10 minutes.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick or star anise to make it Instagram-ready.