Hot Apple Cider

This recipe comes together in minutes and fills the house with the scents of the holidays. A great gift to give or an easy treat to share with guests, a jar of this cider is always a good idea to have in the fridge. It can easily be doubled or tripled to make a larger batch. The kukicha twig tea has a nutty roasted flavor that gives this cider depth. If you can’t find kukicha twig, it can be left out and your cider will still be aromatic and flavorful. Hot apple cider is delicious on its own or makes a great holiday cocktail with a shot of bourbon or rum.

Ingredients

1 quart apple juice

2 large cinnamon sticks

1 orange

1 thumb ginger

1/2 tsp cloves

2 tbsp Kukicha twig 

1/8 tsp ground allspice

1/2 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions 

-Pour apple juice into a pot and heat on heat on med-high

-Add 2 strips of orange peel (remove from the orange with a vegetable peeler), cinnamon sticks, kukicha twig tea, cloves, and allspice to pot

-Slice ginger, add to pot, and stir 

-Cover and bring to boil

-Turn heat down and simmer for 10 minutes

-Turn off heat and add lemon juice and maple syrup

-Strain and serve!