Spiced Apple Cider

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 1h30

Serves: 10

64 oz. apple cider

5 black tea bags (or rooibos / red tea)

1 apple, sliced (or a cling peach)

½ orange, peeled and sliced

4 cinnamon sticks (or 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder)

5 star anise

Optional extras

Freshly grated ginger to taste

Dash of cloves

Dash of nutmeg

In a slow cooker (or pot), combine all the ingredients and allow to simmer for a couple of hours. Taste – if too strong – add ½ to 1 cup of water. Turn up the heat just before serving so that it is piping hot when serving.

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On cold and rainy winter days nothing invites guests into your home more than the aroma of spiced apple cider wafting in welcome. This is one of my favorite recipes. It makes a good alternative to hot chocolate and calorie laden drinks over the holiday season. Should there be any leftover, it can be cooled, refrigerated, and warmed up for your own enjoyment.

Although this recipe is for a slow cooker – you can prepare it on the stovetop. I do it both ways depending on the occasion. When serving a crowd – a crockpot / slow cooker is best. But, when making some for family, or for saving for our own enjoyment - I use the stovetop and adjust the time accordingly. The longer it simmers, the better it will be as it allows the fruit, spices and tea to steep into a tasty combination.

#apple #cider