Hot Cider with Spice

Ingredients: 

  • 4 cups of apple juice or cider
  • Two sticks of cinnamon
  • Four to five entire cloves
  • Anise with two stars (optional)
  • One or two orange slices
  • One or two teaspoons of brown sugar or honey (optional)
An optional sprinkle of ground nutmeg
A dash of bourbon or rum (optional for an adult counterpart)

Directions:
Warm up the cider: Pour the apple cider into a medium-sized pot and heat it to a low simmer.
Spices: Put the orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise into the pot. Stir with honey or brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter beverage.

Simmer: To allow the spices to impart flavour to the cider, let the mixture simmer for ten to fifteen minutes. Stir from time to time.
Taste and make adjustments: Give your cider a taste. Adjust the flavour by adding additional honey or a pinch of nutmeg if you prefer more sweetness or spice.
Take off the heat to serve. If you want a smoother drink, strain off the spices. Transfer to mugs.
Optional: Add alcohol Before serving, pour a little rum or bourbon into each mug if you're creating an adult version.
For a festive touch, garnish with a star anise, an additional orange slice, or a cinnamon stick.

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