Treat: Spiced Hot Apple Cider

Fall is fading quickly into winter here in Washington state, but there are still plenty of apples left over from the harvest. This means, if you grow your own, you are quickly trying to use your apples up in any way possible (canning, apple sauce, apple butter, pies), giving them away, or leaving them as compost for next year’s crop. If you don’t grow your own, most stores are putting this season’s yield on sale, and praying you don’t complain of their mealiness.

One of my favorite ways to use apples that are turning mealy faster than I can consume them, is to turn them into a mug of piping hot, spiced cider. While this treat may initially trigger notions of Autumn, it is still seasonally appropriate—keeping you warm and smiling as you slowly sip it away.

The Shopping List

Appx. 40 Apples of your Choosing

1 inch Thumb Fresh Ginger

6 Sticks of Cinnamon

1-2 tsp. Whole Cloves

Nutmeg (to taste)

To make your cider, take a sack of apples (appx. 40 apples will make about 4.5 qts) and turn them into a mountain of chopped and cored apples. I like to call it, Mt. Cidernai (get it, Mt. Sinai? No? That’s okay, I never actually call it that.)

Juice apples and ginger in your handy dandy juicer. If you don’t have one, you can experiment by slowly squeezing the chunks of apple between two large volumes of never-read literature. Or you can buy apple juice from the store and add powdered ginger to taste. Pour juice into pot and turn to medium heat. Add cloves and cinnamon sticks.

Bring juice to a gentle simmer (it shouldn't get to a boil). Allow to simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, testing cider every now and then to see if the spice is to your taste. Adjust spices if necessary. Once the flavor is satisfactory, pull from heat and strain. My family prefers the cider to still have the fibers from the apple juice, so I don’t strain. I’ll either pick the spices out, or ladle around them. Once in mug, sprinkle with nutmeg and drink immediately. =)

This can be refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheated in the microwave or on stove.

19 Days Until Christmas!