Ingredients:

  • 6 cups apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • 1 large orange, sliced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey, to taste)
  • 1/4 cup dark rum or bourbon (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a large saucepan, combine the apple cider, orange slices, lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and nutmeg.
  2. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour.
  3. After simmering, stir in the maple syrup (or honey) to taste. Adjust sweetness as needed.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Strain the cider through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the solids.
  5. If desired, stir in the rum or bourbon at this point.
  6. Ladle the hot apple cider into mugs. Garnish with an orange slice or cinnamon stick, if desired.