Mulling over mulled cider

In Baltimore, at least, it is at last decidedly winter.  Will we get any snow?  Who’s to say – it’s been a little while since our last real blizzard.  But the air has that smack of snow to it, that certain clear crispness, so maybe we will get a flurry or two in the next few weeks.  We can hope, anyway.

It’s around now that, for me, my game night routine starts to kick into gear.  With the days getting shorter and the nights encroaching further and further into those early evening hours, this is a time of year I like to cozy up and settle in with friends for Risk, or Parcheesi, or Ticket to Ride – or whatever fascinating new game our neighbors, board game aficionados, have brought to share.  Of course, any sort of social night demands the right kind of snacks and beverages.  Usually, we rustle up some sort of charcuterie board (often courtesy of Trader Joe’s) or whip up a loaf of pumpkin bread.  And there’s no better accompaniment to those fall-winter flavors than a crockpot full of rich, aromatic mulled cider!

Today, just for fun, I thought I’d share my favorite mulled cider recipe with all of you.  It’s easy to make, and easily refreshed – perfect for game nights, dinner parties, or really any night you feel like a warm mug of the stuff.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 whole cinnamon sticks

• 1 tsp. whole cloves

• ½ tsp. whole allspice

• ¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

• 1 large orange, washed

• 1 small apple, washed

• 1 thin slice of washed lemon

• 1 slice of fresh ginger (or ½ tsp. powdered ginger)

• 8 cups (2 quarts) fresh apple cider

• 2 tbsp. brown sugar, packed

Instructions:

1. Pour the cider into the crockpot.  Add the brown sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves, then turn the crockpot to high.

2. Stud the orange with the whole cloves.

3. Add the cinnamon sticks, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, apple, lemon slice, and clove-studded orange to the crockpot.

4. Cover and cook on high for around 2 hours, to let the flavors cook through.

5. Keep the cider on low until ready to serve!

As you serve the cider, replenish the crock pot with fresh cider and turn the heat back to high for a bit to let those flavors meld again.

Here’s hoping your wintry evenings are full of firesides and friendly competition!