Tasty Tuesday with Chesco Mom Steph: Delicious Spiced Apple Cider Recipe

Today I will take a break from Easy Weeknight Meals for your Meal Rotation calendar (I will write a comprehensive post with said Meal Rotation, as laid out over the last 2 months. Soon. Very soon).

Today, I'd like to bring you a beverage recipe. I don't have many beverage recipes. This is probably because most of the beverages I enjoy come in bottles, glasses or cartons that I can get from the store. There are a few that I've found worth making at home. These beverages are always a special treat.

I've also found that homemade beverages simmering on the stove top (or slow cooker, of course) are a wonderful addition to Autumn events, holidays and dinners. I love it when I visit someones home on a crisp Autumn night for a dinner or holiday feast and there is a special beverage to enjoy. It could be a sweet punch or a dessert after-dinner cordial. But I find it inviting. And tasty. Always tasty.

Recently, Hubby and I picked up some fresh, local Apple Cider from the West Chester Growers Market. That night was crisp and cool. And we had picked up some wood to enjoy in our outdoor fireplace. Hubby's brain started churning and he decided that Spiced Apple Cider would be the perfect thing to enjoy in front of the fire.

So what did he do? He just MADE UP an amazing Spiced Apple Cider recipe. So amazing, that we made it later in the week when I hosted a Tupperware party. Both times, the well ran dry, and everyone who took a mug of the hot beverage raved about it.

It would be just WRONG to not share it with you. Especially when the nights are perfectly cold, and many of us have events planned over the next few weeks. You need to make this for your holiday parties. Or just your family to enjoy as you bunker down for the night.

~~~~~

Bill's Spiced Apple Cider

• 1/2 Gallon of Apple Cider
• 3/4 cup of Orange Juice (use pulp free if you don't have a fine-mesh sieve/colander/strainer)
• 3 Cinnamon Sticks
• 1-2 TBS Pumpkin Pie Spice (To taste. Start with 1 TBS, and add more if you want a stronger flavor)

Combine all ingredients in a large pot on the stove (you could also throw it in the slow cooker for about an hour or 2 on low). Stir over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, and simmer for 10 minutes. Take out cinnamon sticks. If you use a pulpy orange juice, it would be best if you strain out the solid bits).

Pour into mugs and enjoy!

~~~~~

I can't say enough how tasty this recipe is. We have a half gallon of cider in the fridge on standby, just in case we need to whip up a batch.

If you want to make this an adult drink (for yourself or for an adult party/cocktail party), add a splash of rum to the mugs. The rum is at your discretion and to your taste!

Have a great week!

You can read more about Steph's life and recipes at her blog,Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom.