Spiced Hot Apple Cider

For the Mulled Apple Cider Base

Cheesecloth spice bundles keep the brew smooth and free of floating flotsam—worthy of any captain's toast.

Ingredients

• 6 cups apple cider
• ¼ cup real maple syrup
• 2 sticks cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 6 whole allspice berries
• 1 orange orange peel, cut into strips
• 1 lemon lemon peel, cut into strips

Instructions

1. Pour apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan.
2. Place cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel, and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth.
3. Fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle and tie securely with kitchen string.
4. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.
5. Heat over moderate flame for 5–10 minutes, until cider is very hot but not boiling.
6. Remove from heat and discard the spice bundle.
7. Ladle cider into mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired.

Prep: 10 min • Cook: 10 min • Wait: No time