Toasted Mulled Cider Margarita Recipes

MULLED CIDER

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer on the grates of the grill or over a burner. Divide among individual mugs and serve hot.

MULLED CIDER

Steps:

• Place the cinnamon stick, cloves, allspice and bay leaf on a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with kitchen string to form a bag. , In a large saucepan, combine the apple cider, juices, orange zest, brown sugar, salt and spice bag. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer mixture for 30 minutes to blend flavors. Discard spice bag. Strain cider mixture and stir in brandy if desired. Serve immediately.

GZ'S MULLED CIDER

Steps:

• Combine the apple cider, cranberries, ginger, red chile flakes, star anise, cloves, allspice, orange slices and 2 of the cinnamon sticks in a medium pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the cider to sit for 5 minutes. Strain the cider to remove the spices.
• If desired, put 1 ounce dark rum in each of 4 large mugs. Divide the cider among the mugs and garnish with the remaining cinnamon sticks.

SLOW-COOKER MULLED CIDER

Steps:

• Put the cardamom pods on a cutting board. Lay the flat of a chef's knife over them and gently smack the flat of the knife to lightly crush and crack the pods. Add the cardamom pods, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks and allspice berries to a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Toast the spices, shaking the pan often, until very fragrant, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the cinnamon sticks into a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Tie up the remaining spices into a cheesecloth bundle, and add that to the slow cooker as well. (If you don't have cheesecloth, you can use tea infusers or loose tea bags. You could also put the spices directly into the slow cooker, then strain the mixture as you serve.)
• Cut the piece of peeled ginger in half lengthwise and smash each piece by laying the flat of the knife over it and smacking with the heel of your hand. (At this point, put the slow cooker in the spot where you'd like to serve it, because it will become difficult to move once you've added all of the liquid.) Add the ginger, lemon, orange, salt and apple cider to the slow cooker. Cover, and cook on high for 3 hours.
• Reduce the heat to warm. Add the rye whiskey and vanilla and stir to combine. You can leave the cider on warm for several hours, allowing guests to serve themselves, adding additional citrus slices and cinnamon sticks to their mugs, as desired.

MULLED MARGARITA

Steps:

• To make mulled cider: combine the cider, apple slices, cloves, and ground cinnamon in a pot; heat until boiling; let boil for 5 minutes.
• Ladle about 4 ounces mulled cider into a coffee mug; add in the Grand Marnier and tequila; garnish with a cinnamon stick.
• *Spiced Apple Margarita: combine 2 ounces cooled mulled cider with 1 ½ ounces tequila and ¾ ounce Grand Marnier in a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake and strain into a martini glass; garnish with cinnamon stick and apple slice.