Make Your Own Spiced Cider

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It might be 90 degrees outside, but I can't live without my most favorite Fall treat. And no, it is not a pumpkin spice latte…..it's hot spiced apple cider!

Mmm….I love it.

I'm not a coffee drinker, and I rarely do tea, so spiced cider is my go-to hot drink when the season changes…even if it doesn't feel like it outside.

I've tried both Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts cider, but both were too sweet, too thick, and not enough of the apple showed through for me. So now I just mix up my own at home.

Normally I would use a bag of mulling spices, but since I ran out of them last year, it was time to put together my own concoction. Following a trusted recipe, of course. I'm not that efficient in the kitchen.

How to Make Spiced Apple Cider

Step 1: Prep and measure out all the ingredients – including cut strips of orange zest and a split vanilla bean.

I had actually never cooked with a vanilla bean before and I must say, I would definitely do it again. The smell was heavenly, and the cost wasn't too horrible either. I try to buy all my spices from Amish bulk food stores, which saves me a ton of money anyway.

Of course, I have yet to find one down here in Florida, so if you know something I don't, please enlighten me!

Step 2: Pour apple cider into a sauce pan with all the rest of the ingredients and spices, and bring to a boil.

If you have cheesecloth, it can be quite handy to hold all your spices so you can easily remove them when you need too. Otherwise, scoop out spices with a slotted spoon when the time comes. Since everything is a whole spice, and not ground, this is simple to do as well.

Step 3: Once cider starts boiling, remove from the heat and let everything steep for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Discard all spices and put back onto low heat. Cider should start to steam after 5-7 minutes, which means it's time to enjoy this lovely hot drink!

Make Your Own Spiced Cider

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• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 2-3 servings 1x

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Ingredients

• 4 cups apple cider
• 10 whole cloves
• 10 black peppercorns
• 4 strips {3 x 1/2 in each} orange zest
• 1 cinnamon stick, cracked
• 1 vanilla bean, split {or 1–2 tsp extract}

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Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan over moderate heat, combine the ingredients; bring mixture to a boil. Remove the saucepan from heat and let stand 30 minutes to steep. Remove and discard the spices.
2. Return the saucepan to low heat and slowly cook until the cider begins to steam. Ladle the cider into mugs, wait 3-5 minutes, and serve.

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Notes

Recipe adapted from Homemade

Total Cost: $4.51 or $1.50/serving {w/ vanilla bean}

$3.66 or $1.22/serving {w/ vanilla extract}

Since cider is so expensive anyway, I wasn't expecting Spiced Cider to be super cheap. But you have to splurge every once in a while, right? I don't think 1 gallon a year will totally destroy our grocery budget, although the cost alone makes me savor every drop!

Because this process is a little time-consuming, you have two options to quickly brew yourself a cup when the craving hits. Either make an entire gallon of spiced cider, and freeze the rest to heat as needed, or throw a party and put it in the crockpot to keep hot.

Then grab an awesome book, cuddle up under a fuzzy blanket, and let the flavors of Autumn warm your hands, and keep your insides nice and toasty.

What is your favorite fall treat?

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