Apple cider. For me one of many autumnal delights. I easily go through about three quarts of apple cider a week I get from the farmers market. It replaces iced tea for me in the colder months. But Mulled Cider is even better. You know me, I'll take it to an adult level. With cooler temps coming, there is nothing like hot mulled cider at night with candles lit, and I usually enjoy it long past autumn and well into the winter months. Not only is it a perfect warm me up drink after raking leaves, long walks, or shoveling the drive way, but it also has the added benefit of making the whole house smell absolutely edible and fall like. If I had guest coming, this is most likely what they would be getting right now.
It's not hard either. I usually make a small sauce pan size filled 3/4 up. I then add about two teaspoons each of allspice berries, cloves, star anise and rind shavings of Valencia orange. I add mine in loose.
Then I add in about a cup of Bourbon whiskey. I have also made this with brandy or ginger liqueur...and they all turn out tasty.
After stirring and bring to a boil, I then set to low heat and let simmer for almost an hour. This is why I may make this before being outdoors, so when I come in, it's warm. The longer it simmers, the more strong the spices will taste.
Once the simmering is done, I drain the loose spices through a filter in a strainer and then pour back in pan to keep warm till I'm ready to drink it.
On Sunday, I was also in the process of making Tucson Boule bread.
But when they were done, I sat to enjoy my first glass of Mulled Cider. I also add a cinnamon stick for more flavor. And it definitely warms you up...and the house smelled wonderful for hours. If you don't drink it all, it can be refrigerated and warmed up later. It you like warm spicy things, this drink is for you...not to mention many spices are good for your body...and it's a good calming libation.
There now...Are we all lit?
Oh, yum! I'll take one with ginger liqueur, please. And a big, thick, hunk of that delicious-looking bread slathered in butter!
ReplyDeleteOH!!!!! Yo meant the real bread!?!?!
DeleteIt DOES sound delicious!
ReplyDeleteSince I don't care for apple cider in any form except sparkling, I'll take your word that it's the bees knees. I'll take the likker straight (bourbon need not apply).
ReplyDeleteDon't get the Mistress started...the Bees Knees is another good gin drink.
DeleteYes, Deedles, I think you like the sweeter stuff. And did someone say Bees Knees?!?!?!?
DeleteI bet this would be great for a nightcap too! ;) Yum!! Warm drinks always make me sleep well. I can just about smell this through the screen I'll have you know. I will have to give this a try. We LOVE our apple cider in this house.
ReplyDeleteLove your little mini pumpkins on the sill.
I will try this too. I get all my apple cider from Strite's Orchid. I'm sure you've heard of it... outside of Hershey. I love all those spices too. And that bread looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteOhhhhhhh yes.... I know Strites quite well. My grandmother used to use them all the time... my aunt still does.
DeleteLoved this! And I too can't get enough Apple Cider in the fall. Search me, because I hate raw apples slices. But this is the perfect cold weather drink. Next time I'm going to try the ginger liqueur variation. Is there a special kind you recommend?
ReplyDeleteLovely candle too, i love it.
I use a wonderful ginger liqueur called Domaine de Canton. It's also wonderful on the rocks, or over vanilla ice cream.
DeleteMmmmm! I can smell it just reading how to make it! Definitely will be needing this now! Thanks for sharing. And I haven't had any apple cider this season yet.
ReplyDeleteLooks tasty!
ReplyDeleteYou know I adore your adult recipes!!!!
ReplyDeleteOur apple cider up north here has been downright delicious this season.
That sounds absolutely wonderful. It would be great to curl up in front of a raging...fire, yes a raging fire, that’s what I was thinking. A perfect way to end the evening.
ReplyDeleteI have made carafes of it, and taken to friends places whilst we sit around the fire pit...tis rather nice. Yu and Sixpense can join me.
Deletebet your home smells SO inviting and seductive! between the cider and the yeast bread and the candles and the manly houseboyz...
ReplyDeleteMy dear, never heat cider nor any booze - it boils off the alcohol! Yes, I know you can add spirits afterwards, but it rather defeats the object. And cloves are for toothache, not for human consumption...
ReplyDeleteLike Deedles, I like my cider sparkling (and with ice!).
Jx
Yes, I add the spirit after the simmer is done. After two...Im in a very good mind altering place. And if before bed, sleep like a baby.
DeleteSleep like a baby, huh Mads? Up every two hours needing a bottle and diaper change? Not very restful, sweetie.
DeleteI'll have you know I go every four hours. Unfortunately I don't wake up till 9:30am.
DeleteIt took me a minute, Mads, but then I laughed my ass off! Thanks!
DeleteThis sounds just delicious. Really.
ReplyDeleteAnd you just KNOW we'd love to join you...
XOXO
We can tell stories and do one of those male cuddle puddles!
DeleteOh what a wonderful Fall post! I am experiencing Fall vicariously through your descriptions and pictures darling and it's SO NICE - particularly that mulled yummy! Here comes the story: My grandma always put up a little booze every autumn. When she mulled her cider, she'd heat up a clean and scrubbed railroad spike on the kitchen stove, and then quench it in the straight cider and spice concoction. Hisssssss! Then she'd add a tot of whiskey, and drink it out of a china tea cup. Man, you brought back a great memory!
ReplyDeleteWow!!!!! That is a cool story. Not to mention she had a lethal weapon if need be, hahahahahaha! Give it a whirl....I use a heavy hand, I mean, that's the warming up part right?
DeleteI love this, and will be trying your recipe, with brandy, of course, later this week. We're hitting some cooler temperatures now an this will do the trick!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait!
You'll have to let me know how it turns out.
DeleteMost years around this time I go to local Mennonite craft sale, and usual pick up a few gallon of fresh press cider. They also put an excellent lunch on with home made chili, and one best corn bread. But this year I'm skipping it. Simple reason not enough people aren't masking it up.
ReplyDeleteStay Safe and Coffee is on
I haven't had good cornbread in an age...
DeleteI have a GREAT cornbread recipe; I will e-mail it to you!
DeleteThis recipe looks like it could make the worries of 2020 fade away. Looking forward to trying this out. And I just bet this smells good. I will be with my sister for Thanksgiving, so I may try this for us two.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to try this out. I've been looking for a good mulled cider recipe since trying it for the first time. I love seeing the spices floating. Aren't the star anise pretty neat?
ReplyDeleteFantastic autumn drink. I need to break out and experience more things. Some old wine around here.
ReplyDeleteOooo. I can smell it from here. Delicious. And what I wouldn't give for a slice of that bread, thickly spread with butter and served to me by the most attractive body in the last post. Christmas come early!
ReplyDeleteOh your getting bad, you been hanging around Anne Marie and Deedles to much. But you'd be welcome in my home anytime.
DeleteI've never made it myself (well, duh) but love hard apple cider. I can almost smell yours! ... the apple cider!
ReplyDeleteOh does it ever scent the house nice.
DeleteI wanna come to your house! I love bread. And, you know... glug, glug, glug... :) Kizzes.
ReplyDeleteYou'd be welcome in my home anytime.
DeleteMy soul swoon. What a delight that must be - mulled hot drinks !
ReplyDeleteYou should give it a whirl if you get a cool night!!!
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