My oldest son is coming home for Christmas on Thursday and he is requesting spiced cider. He’s not a hot chocolate fan, so this is his beverage of choice for the holidays. Normally, this is not a problem; however, I can’t find my recipe. Yikes! I basically know what goes into it, but I want the proportions so it tastes good.

I asked Faith, but she doesn’t have it either. And the other problem is, I can’t remember where I got the recipe years ago.

While I thought I’d look up some variations of this drink on the Internet, I also decided that maybe some of you would also like a recipe, too.

Listed below are a few that I found, along with a link of where I found them. I want to make sure I give credit where credit is due.

I’m sure after I look them over, I’ll tweek them here and there and come up with my own. In fact, I know that’s what I did years ago……That’s why I can’t find an exact copy!

Happy sipping!

Recipe #1

Hot Spiced Cider

Apple cider is spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Ingredients:

• 3 quarts apple cider
• 12 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preparation:

In a large saucepan, bring all ingredients to a boil. Strain and serve hot spiced cider hot in mugs.

Makes 12 cups of hot spiced cider.

This recipe is a very basic one, and may taste great. It has some of the ingredients I use, but I’m looking for one that uses a percolator for preparing this beverage. Back to Google!

Recipe #2

Hot Spiced Cider

This recipe sounds pretty good, and contains most of what I put into mine, but it doesn’t have cranberry juice, so I think I’ll keep looking.

Recipe #3

Hot Spiced Cider

First, take a large jug of apple juice or cider (a gallon is a good amount). Then pour the juice into a large pot on the stove (or into the crockpot if you don’t want to use a burner). Heat to a simmer.

Then add the following ingredients to the simmering juice:

• 1 cup of frozen orange juice concentrate (this ingredient is a MUST)
• 2 teaspoons (more or less) of EACH of the following: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves (whole or ground)
• 1 cup (or less) of cranberry juice

Let it all simmer for awhile (half an hour at least).

The smell wafting through the house while the cider is simmering is simply heaven. Serve the hot spiced cider in mugs. For a nice touch, add a whole cinnamon stick to each mug.

Having a large pot of hot, spiced apple cider simmering on the stove when company arrives is a sure way to make them very happy that they chose to come over to your house.

Recipe #4

Vickie’s New and Improved Hot Spiced Cider

As I’ve looked over the recipes above, mine is starting to come back to me. Here’s what I’m going to propose as my new recipe for Hot Spiced Cider.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 gallon of apple juice or cider
• 1/2 gallon of cranberry juice
• 1 cup of orange juice
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 10 whole cloves

Preparation:

Using a percolator:

1. You need a big percolator that holds at least 18 cups.
2. Pour apple cider and cranberry juice into coffee pot.
3. Place ingredients in the coffee basket and fill with brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
4. Brew, and serve hot.

Using a crockpot or pot on top of stove:

1. Be sure your pot can hold 18 cups of liquid.
2. Pour apple cider or juice, cranberry juice, and orange juice into pot.
3. Place brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and cloves in a piece of cheesecloth and tie with string or twist tie.
4. Place spice mixture into liquid.
5. Heat cider mixture until desired drinking temperature.

Now, don’t tell Matthew I had to wing it this year. It will be our secret….