There is nothing that speaks of autumn quite so much as apples, spiced hot apple cider or warm apple pie, each spiced with cinnamon.

In many areas, like mine, where apples are grown, fresh cider is readily available, often even at roadside stands. What a bonus!

It is a real treat in the fall to bring home a gallon of fresh apple cider.

Spiced Cider

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
6 cups fresh apple cider
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 sticks cinnamon

Directions:
Heat all the ingredients to boiling in a 3 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Strain the cider mixture to remove the cloves and cinnamon, if desired.

Makes 6 cups.

Hot Buttered Rum-Spiced Cider:

Prepare the cider as above. For each serving, place 1 tablespoon of butter, 1 tablespoon of packed brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of rum in a mug. Fill the mug with hot cider.

If you want the rum taste but not the alcohol, simply replace the rum with just a few drops of rum flavoring.

These bubble glass mugs are designed for beer but are perfect for hot apple cider too. Tag Bubble Glass Beer Mugs - Set of 6 Clear by tag