Sunday, November 18, 2018

AUTUMNAL EVENING COCK-A-TAIL

Once autumn hits, and the apples picking comes in, those delicious, juicy apples from the hundreds of trees to the market , I start thinking about making cider. There’s something so gratifyingly simple about this good, old-fashioned cider. And to say I love cider would be a understatement. I stop at the farmers market to get it once a week, and go through two to three quarts a week. Historically, cider was very important to early Americans. One in every 10-farms in New England operated its own cider mill by the time of the American Revolution. And, President John Adams drank cider every morning because he believed it promoted wellness. Maybe so - Adams lived to 90, making him one of the top longest living US presidents. Often in the autumn in the evening I like to make a Mulled cider of my own recipe, with these ingredients.
I use half quart of cider, a teaspoon each of clove, and ground Valencia orange rind. And two cinnamon sticks
A tablespoon of allspice and a tablespoon of fresh ground nutmeg. I then toss it in a pan loose with the apple cider.
After it comes to a boil, I let it simmer for around half an hour on a low heat
Once simmered, I used my gravy measuring separator that has a strainer on top to catch the spices.
Once that's done, back into the pan and then I add in some ginger liqueur. In my opinion, no household should go without a bottle of Domaine de Canton, a French ginger liqueur. It's around $40 a bottle, but so worth it. It has multiple cock-a-tail uses, great on the rocks as a night cap, and is excellent over vanilla ice cream. Stick with me kids, I'm full of cock-a-tail tricks. Anywho, I use a cup of the liqueur to the cider.  
And voila'…...hot mulled cider!!!!! Nothing more fall tasting on a crisp night. I have one or 6 after my walks with Buster in the evening, and when it's boiling and simmering, it scents the whole house which smells so wonderful!
And I sleep like a baby.
Cheers lambchops🍸 

18 comments:

  1. I greatly prefer hot apple cider to the cold variety - a true delight. Hot mulled cider evokes images of autumn's changing leaves, cool air, the holidays, and time passing. I will have to also try your recommendation of the Domaine de Canton.

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  2. I had my first taste of apple cider of the season the other day and it was delicious. And I agree, it is certainly great in the evening warm...love it.

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  3. Would you believe I have never had warmed mulled cider??? But with those spices I bet it is very good smelling and tasty. I have to try it. And where ever did you find the gravy separator measuring cup?

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  4. Like Karen Walker, no wonder your always so cheery.

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  5. Making apple cider a fall tradition in the farm country where the engineer grew up.

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  6. maddie's lit again...but when is she NOT lit! have never had mulled cider.

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  7. A cup of hot cider is always perfect on a cold Fall or Winter morning. I will have to try your suggestion of the liqueur.

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  8. cap Chasen11/18/2018

    How fun! This brings back memories of cider making in Maine as a youngster. My aunt had a small orchard and would recruit us to gather the apples before the first frost. I can almost taste the cold fresh cider. Thanks for the memories.

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  9. I love apple cider; mulled cider.... also apple juice and apple pie
    ...I can almost smell apples....

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  10. This is on the menu for us this holiday season. Thanks MM!!!

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  11. There's really nothing like warm mulled cider on a cold day. The freshest I get is from trader joes..

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  12. OMG!There is absolutely nothing better than mulled apple cider in the full! This looks easy enough for me to make too. Love the snifter it's in too.

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  13. I love warm apple cider! Thanks for the ginger liquor tip. I've had it with orange liquor before. But I agree, nothing beats that hot, warm, mulled apple cider taste and smell on a cold evening.

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  14. I love mulled cider. Just got some this weekend from the orchard up the road before hitting Ptown, and I thought of putting in some spirit and was wondering, what kind of liquor would you add and be best to add to this tasty recipe? I will look for this! Sounds yummy.

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  15. I've never had warm cider, and I don't remember the last time I had the cold stuff. Egg nog for that matter, too. Maybe I'll have to change that up this holiday season?

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    1. More fun to come...just you wait till I post the family egg not recipe.

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  16. First, that looks so delicious. Second, you never stop surprising me. So many talents!

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  17. An apple a day, as they say. I like a good hard cider also.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!