The snow outside my window is telling it’s not too early to start posting holiday recipes. My mom sent me a link to this holiday cider recipe that sounds like a real “keeper”. You could probably half the recipe if you’re not planning a big party.
(An aside: I like apples. No, I love apples. And I love apple cider. But I hate apple juice with a fiery passion. It doesn’t even taste like apples people! Yuck. Rant over.)
I don’t see a lot of recipes in Canada that use star anise pods, so I’m looking forward to trying this out.
Here’s the recipe from the CTV site:
Mulled Holiday Cider (Serves eight to 10)
Ingredients
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 2 liters of fresh cider
- 1 orange
- 24 cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 4 bay leaves
- 2 branches of rosemary
- 8 star anise pods
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1 bottle of any wine
Directions
Pour the water into a medium sized saucepot large enough to hold the cider and wine. Add the sugar and begin heating over a high heat. The sugar mixture will form a syrup and come to a boil, continue simmering as the water boils away. Don’t stir or shake the pot! When the syrup begins to brown around the edges, gently swirl the pot until the resulting caramel is a beautiful golden brown. Working quickly and
carefully add the cider to ’shock’ the caramel and prevent it from further browning. It will spatter so be careful! Bring the entire mixture to a simmer.
Spike the orange with the cloves and add to the cider. Add the remaining spices and vanilla then continue simmering for another 30 minutes or so.
Add the wine, bring the mixture back to the simmer and serve immediately in a festive mug. Garnish each serving with a rosemary sprig.
