Getting In the Mood: Apple Cider

Dear Kara,

Love your last minute gift ideas! We gave the North Face Teddy Bear Fleece awhile back...to see a baby in that is too cute. My last minute gift stop today was Barnes and Noble; there is something there for everyone. I also had to get my hair and nails done. Then we made the apartment smell of Christmas by making apple cider. I love hot totties, they remind me of the holidays and they make the entire place smell of Christmas.

I kept missing the farmers' market apple cider stand so tonight we made our own. It couldn't be any easier and tastes yummy. I love that we will have it around for the festivities. It takes no time to make and about 30 minutes on the stove.

This recipe makes 8 cups....

Spiced Apple Cider

- 2 Quarts Apple Juice (Fresh Squeezed preferably)
-1 Teaspoon of all spice
-1 Teaspoon of cloves
-1/2 Teaspoon of nutmeg
-1/2 Teaspoon of ground cinnamon
-1/4 Teaspoon of ground ginger (if you like a kick a little more is fine)

Bring the apple juice to boil. Mix the spices in a cheese cloth and tie the ball up with string (If you don't have cheese cloth you can just strain the spices out when finished). With the cloves, the spice blend looks more like a fun potion...It makes me feel like I am making a witch's brew. After the apple juice is boiling bring to low and add the spices. Leave steeping for a half and hour (or more) with the top on the pan.

Serve with Rum, cinnamon stick &/or an apple slice.

Yum Yummmmy. (I am drinking a glass as I post)

XOXOXOXOOXOX
Merry Christmas!
-Margaret

Gangs all here! Cinnamon- sticks and ground, cloves, ginger, all spice and nutmeg.

The spices, then tied up ready for the cider.

The special ingredient, Rum. 

The finished product.