Hot Spiced Cheer
Warm up your holidays with a comforting mug of Hot Spiced Cheer, a festive drink brimming with seasonal flavors and cozy aromas. This easy-to-make recipe combines sweet apple cider, zesty orange slices, and a medley of warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise simmered to perfection. Hints of fresh ginger and vanilla add depth, while a touch of brown sugar balances the blend with subtle sweetness. Perfect for gatherings or quiet evenings by the fireplace, this drink can be served as is or enhanced with a splash of dark rum or bourbon for a grown-up twist. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's the ultimate winter warmer, offering both heartwarming comfort and holiday charm.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 cups Apple cider
- 1 whole Orange
- 3 sticks Cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole Cloves
- 2 whole Star anise
- 1 inch piece Fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 ounce per serving Optional dark rum or bourbon
Instructions
Pour the apple cider into a large saucepan or pot and set it over medium heat.
Slice the orange into thin rounds and add them to the pot.
Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, and the inch-piece of fresh ginger (peeled and sliced into thin coins) to the cider.
Stir in the brown sugar until fully dissolved.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the spices and citrus to infuse the cider with flavor.
After simmering, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the cider into a heatproof pitcher or individual mugs to remove the solids.
If desired, add 1 ounce of dark rum or bourbon to each serving for an optional adult twist.
Serve the Hot Spiced Cheer warm and garnish with a cinnamon stick, a star anise, or a slice of orange for an extra festive touch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
992 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 5.5 g | 7% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.9 g | 4% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 107 mg | 5% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 223.3 g | 81% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.9 g | 57% | |
| Total Sugars | 173.5 g | ||
| Protein | 5.7 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 415 mg | 32% | |
| Iron | 8.0 mg | 44% | |
| Potassium | 2100 mg | 45% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
