Spiced Cider (aka THE BEST THING EVER)

**Lea32R** · 08-30-2010,09:26 AM

Hey everyone. I recently made my first batch of this and thought I'd share the recipe and pics. This is my favourite thing to drink when it's coming up to Hallowe'en and the nights are getting chilly. Depending on the ratios you use, it needn't be strongly alcoholic, but it should always be warming and spicy!

I don't really stick to measurements, I usually just make the cider to taste. But if you make a big batch you can bottle it and keep it. I don't know how long it keeps for (It's usually drunk within a few days at my house!) but in a cool dark place I would have thought it would keep quite well.

Ingredients:

Big bottle of regular cider (I don't personally like dry cider, but that's down to you

)
Big bottle of fresh apple juice
Jar of clear runny honey (not set honey)
Mulling Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice)
Double cream for topping (optional)

First step is to put your cider in a pan and put this on a low simmer.

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If your cider is carbonated, like mine, was, you'll need to whisk it to get the gas out! What you want is a smooth finish, not a fizzy one.

Add your apple juice:

Add mulling spices. You can either add the spices loose and then decant the cider, or you can get mulling spices in muslin bags already made up.

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Add a couple of spoons of honey, to taste. I usually add two tablespoons to a big batch. Stir until the honey is dissolved.

Cream topping is optional, but I made mine by buying double cream and then whipping the cream in a blender until it was stiff:

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Note: do not try to do this with un-whipped regular double cream, as it won't sit on the top of the cider! It will just sink in and go...nasty.

The finished product:

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Enjoy!