Spiced Apple Cider

I have to return the book to a friend, but I wanted to record this to use again. It makes a lot so I will probably only do it for parties, but it is yummy. Andy strained it with a clean dish towel to drink it because of all the stuff that sinks to the bottom. ;) But it is sooooo good.

Spiced Apple Cider
1 gallon apple juice/cider
1 c. orange juice
1/2 c. pineapple juice
1/4 c. lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon zest
1/4 c. sugar
2 sticks cinnamon
2 tsp. whole cloves
2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground ginger

Mix all the ingredients in a large slow cooker. (5 quarts or larger) Simmer on low 4-6 hours. Serve warm.

I used this for my book club this month. I had everyone read Sarah Plain and Tall. I thought it went well and didn't realize that the temperature would be high 90's outside when I served it. :)

Mulled Berry Cider/Wassail

Our family dubbed this Wassail when Carianne and Heather were very small.  It has been the family name ever since.  I thought I had better put the correct name out there because so many people have other interpretations of Wassail.  I was surprised that I hadn't already posted this recipe, so here it is.  It is a favorite of ours around the holidays.

Mulled Berry Cider or Wassail
8 whole black peppercorns
6 whole allspice
6 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks, 3 inches
4 quarts apple juice or apple cider
2 quarts cranberry juice

Tie smaller spices together in cheesecloth or place in a tea ball.  Drop spices and cinnamon sticks into the bottom of large pot or kettle.  Pour apple juice and cranberry juice into the pot or kettle.  Bring to a boil slowly then reduce to a simmer, keeping partially covered.  Simmer at least 1 hour for best flavor.  Ladle from the stove or transfer to a crockpot and keep on low setting.  If this is kept on the low setting on a crockpot or kept simmering on the stove, this can be served all day or evening with no problems.

Note: I serve this during the cold months of the year.  It is festive during the holidays and warming after being in the cold.  It makes you feel better if you have a cold, too.  If you have freezer space, you can freeze mugfuls, then pop the frozen drink out and keep it in a plastic bag until you want some.  Place it in a mug and warm it in the microwave whenever you want some.

Hot Spiced Apple Cider

This is not my recipe that I usually but it is good.  This is just a spiced hot apple drink that a friend gave me.

Hot Spiced Apple Cider
1 gallon apple cider
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons whole cloves
2 teaspoons whole allspice
2 three-inch cinnamon sticks, broken in half
Stud 2 oranges with cloves

Put the cloves and allspice in a tea ball or in bound up in cheese cloth.  Heat all the ingredients (except the studded oranges) together and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for at least 20 minutes.  Pour the punch into a crockpot and keep on 'warm'.  Float oranges in the crockpot and serve.  Makes 32, one-half cup servings.

Vanilla Bean Slush

This is actually a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, but since there is no coffee I have renamed it. It is based on the Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappiccino. (Again, no coffee. My brother in law introduced me to them when trying to find something that was not coffee I would enjoy at Starbucks.)

Vanilla Bean Slush

2 c. milk

2 c. ice

2 scoops vanilla bean ice cream

2 Tbs. vanilla creamer

Put it all in a blender and blend.

This makes enough for each member of my family to have about 8 ounces. When I made it again it had too much ice, so I may mess with that. Also, we use 1% milk, and low-fat ice cream. Our whole family enjoys it.