Joyful Healthy Eats’ Spiked Hot Apple Cider

Manageability – Easy, but you need 3 hours.

Fall and winter are great times to get together in front of a campfire, cuddle up in a blanket, and sip on a tasty hot beverage to get a little buzz on. And while the Joyful Healthy Eats’ Spiked Hot Apple Cider is definitely a tasty hot beverage, but I think you’ll get more than just a little buzz on.

And you know what, I’ll admit some of this is my fault. Instead of 1.5 cups of Captain Morgan, I went with 2 cups. Did I regret it at the time? Not really. The next day? Definitely. The thing about this drink is that the reduced apple cider and spice mix is really savory and delicious, and sticks to the inside of your mouth. It toasts you from the inside out, all the way down, and it’s amazing. But that hides the booze really well. This is a sneak attack drink, and you’ll feel it. You’ll feel… really warm. This is a warm drink.

Oh, head’s up though. It’s a 3-hour simmer. If you are getting ready for a bonfire cocktail, get the drink going first, then start the fire. But by the time you’re done, you will have the absolute pleasure of taking in a cool fall evening with a hot apple cocktail. And you’ll enjoy that for 2 glasses before you are officially 3 sheets to the fall wind.

Ingredients

• 1 gallon unfiltered apple juice or apple cider
• 1 large orange, cut into 1/4” slices
• 3 cinnamon sticks, or “spicy short straws”
• 4 star anise
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon whole allspice
• 1” ginger root, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups spiced rum (I used Captain Morgan, and I used 2 cups)

Instructions

1. To a large 10 qt dutch oven, add apple juice, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves, whole allspice and ginger root. (If you have a spice ball, add clove and allspice to that. It’s easier cleanup after wards, because you may be too drunk to clean.
2. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce to simmer for 3 hours. Yep, 3 hours.
3. Add rum to the apple cider mixture.
4. Remove fruit and spices from the pot.
5. Serve
6. Swerve

(optional: garnish with orange slices, apple slices or spices)