Hot Spiced Apple Cider

6 drinks

DRINKS

Ina Garten Modern Comfort (p. 31)

Ingredients

Apple cider - 32 oz

Whole black peppercorns - 4

Cinnamon sticks - 7

Whole dried cloves - 3

Star anise - 1

Orange - 1

Red apple - 1

Bourbon - 8 tbl

Prep

Orange - cut 1 large peel, then slice into half rounds

Apple - cut in half, remove core, slice in half rounds

Instructions

Place the apple cider, peppercorns, one of the cinnamon sticks, the cloves and the star anise in a medium saucepan. Add the large orange peel to the pan. Bring the cider mixture to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 5 mnutes. Strain into a 4-cup glass measuring cup and discard the solids.

Pour the hot cider into mugs or heatproof glasses. Add 2 tbl bourbon, if using, to each mug. Add one slice of orange and one slice of apple to each mug and pour in the cider. Serve hot.