For Adults Only : Apple Cider Served Up Your Way

Fall is knocking on our door and it’s time to dredge up those recipes for hot drinks. Hot chocolate, sizzling buttered rum and apple cider. I love them all. However, my favorite is the cider.

Just like many drinks, you can get creative with apple cider. As a result, I have compiled a few recipes (for adults only) of this drink with a twist. Try them and you breezy fall nights and cold winter days will be just a bit warmer.

Allspiced Cider
(by Recipe Land)

Ingredients
1 tablespoon allspice whole
1 each cinnamon stick about three inches
3 cups apple cider
1 cup orange juice
1/2 each lemon sliced
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 cup brandy

Directions:
Tie allspice in a piece of cheesecloth. Place in a medium saucepan along with cinnamon stick, cider, orange juice, lemon slices and honey. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Remove spice bag. Stir in brandy. Serve with a cinnamon stick in each cup, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

Cider and Tequila Hot Toddy
(by Recipezaar)

Ingredients
4 cups apple cider
1 cup cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 cup tequila
1/4 cup triple sec or other orange-flavored liqueur
lime slices, for garnish

Directions:
In a saucepan heat cider and cranberry juice cocktail just until hot (do not let boil) and remove from heat. Stir in tequila and liqueur. Serve toddies in mugs, garnished with lime slices. Note: To spice up a little: add cinnamon sticks, a little cloves, allspice and nutmeg. You can garnish with the above listed lime slices or also add orange slices. Makes about 6 cups.

Hot Buttered Cider
(by Flora’s Receipt Hideout)

Ingredients
7 cups Apple cider OR apple juice
1/3 cup Brown sugar, packed
4 stick cinnamon
1 teaspoon Whole allspice
1 teaspoon Whole cloves
1 Lemon peel, cut into strips
1 1/2 cups Rum
Butter or margarine
Thin apple slices

Directions:
Combine apple cider or apple juice and brown sugar in a large saucepan. For spice bag, tie cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and lemon peel in a 7 inch square of 100 percent cotton cheesecloth. Add spice bag to cider mixture. Bring cider mixture to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove and discard spice bag. Stir in rum. Pour cider mixture into mugs. Float about ½ tsp. butter or margarine on each. Top each serving with one or two thin apple slices. Makes about 10 (6-oz) servings.

Rum-Spiced Cider
(by Michael McLaughlin)

Ingredients
2 quarts apple cider, preferably fresh and unfiltered
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
2 pieces (2 inches each) cinnamon stick
12 whole cloves
12 allspice berries
2 cup dark rum
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, sliced into 8 pats (optional)
8 long cinnamon sticks, for garnish

Directions:
In a non-reactive pan combine the cider, brown sugar, short cinnamon sticks, cloves, and all-spice. Set over medium-low heat, partially cover, and slowly bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally and skimming any scum that forms on the surface.

Meanwhile, divide the rum among 8 large mugs. Drop a pat of butter and a cinnamon stick into each mug if desired. Strain the cider into the mugs and serve immediately. Makes about 8 servings.