Ozark Mountain Mulled Cider Recipes

MULLED CIDER ("WASSAIL")

Steps:

• Combine all of the ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low; simmer for 20 minutes. Ladle into mugs and serve warm. If you want to strain off bits of spices and fruit that are floating in the cider, you can pour the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth before serving.

HOW TO MAKE MULLED CIDER IN THE SLOW COOKER

Steps:

• Fill the slow cooker. Pour the cider or juice into a 5-quart or larger slow cooker.
• Add the fresh ingredients. Cut the orange into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Cut the ginger into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Add both to the slow cooker.
• Add the spices. Add the cinnamon sticks. Add the cloves and optional spices. To make it easier to serve, place the cloves and spices in a tea ball first, or place in a double layer of cheesecloth or paper coffee filter, gather it up into a sachet, and tie closed with kitchen twine.
• Slow cook the cider for 4 hours. Cover the slow cooker and cook until the flavors meld, 4 hours on LOW. (If there are clumps of spices floating at the top that you wish to remove, strain the cider through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large pot.) Keep warm and serve in mugs garnished with additional orange slices if desired.

UPDATED MULLED CIDER

Steps:

• Peel the skin from the orange leaving the bitter white pith behind. Stick the cloves into the skin. Squeeze the juice from the orange and add to the 2-3/4 cups orange juice. Place all ingredients into a large nonreactive pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat, cover and allow to stand at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Serve warm or cold.

MULLED CIDER

Steps:

• Place all ingredients but the bourbon in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until the mixture is just below a boil. Cover, remove from the heat and let steep 5 minutes.
• At that point, you will notice that the allspice and cloves have floated to the top; remove and discard them. Pour a tablespoon of bourbon, if desired, into each of six mugs and pour the cider mixture over it. Spoon a few cinnamon pieces into each mug, and serve immediately.