Ingredients
Scale
- 64 ounces fresh apple cider (unfiltered is best)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise pods
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 large orange, thinly sliced into rounds
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (optional, for color)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional, for extra sweetness)
- For the Boozy Version: 1 shot of Bourbon, Dark Rum, or Brandy per mug
- Garnish: Extra cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs
Instructions
- Start by slicing your orange into thin rounds. If you want a cleaner-looking drink, poke the whole cloves into the orange rinds so they don’t float around loosely. Measure out your cinnamon sticks and star anise. If you are using fresh cranberries, rinse them under cold water and set them aside for the final simmer.
- Pour the apple cider into a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves. If you prefer a sweeter drink, stir in the maple syrup now. Bring the mixture to a very gentle simmer—do not let it reach a rolling boil, as this can make the cider cloudy. Reduce the heat to low and let the spices infuse for at least 15 to 20 minutes. The longer it simmers, the deeper the flavor will be.
- Ladle the warm cider into mugs. For the non-alcoholic version, simply add a fresh cinnamon stick and a few cranberries to each glass. For the boozy version, pour 1.5 ounces of your chosen spirit (bourbon or rum works beautifully) into the bottom of an individual mug before filling it with the hot spiced cider. Stir gently and serve immediately while steaming hot.
- Cook Time: 20 minutes