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"  Nothing says winter like the smell of spiced apples in the air. Whether you&amp;#039;re settling in for a cozy night at home or hosting a big holiday party, hot apple cider is always an appealing drink to have on hand. Serve it up in the traditional style\u2014with cinnamon and cloves\u2014or kick things up with brandy, ginger or cardamom. Read on to get recipes and tips to create the ultimate seasonal brew.   Mulled Cider Warm up during wintertime with this deliciously spiced mix made by boiling apple cider with cinnamon sticks, cloves and strips of orange peel. Dress up each mug with a cinnamon stick and orange slice.   Recipe Ingredients 10 cups (2 1/2 qts) apple cider 3 cinnamon sticks 6 whole cloves 3 strips orange peel, removed with a vegetable peeler Garnish: orange slices and cinnamon sticks   Recipe Preparation 1. Bring cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange peel to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 25 to 35 minutes.   2.Line a strainer with cheesecloth or a plain white paper towel. Set strainer over a large clean saucepan; strain cider mixture into pan. Ladle into mugs. (May be refrigerated up to 2 days, then reheated.)   Recipe Variations If you&amp;#039;re looking for a little variety in your apple cider, embellish the above recipe with various combinations of spices, fruits and liquors.   Nutmeg and Cardamom Spiced Apple Cider Add 10 cardamom pods and 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg to the cider and other ingredients before bringing to a boil.   Gingery Pineapple Cider Add a 1 1/2in. piece of fresh ginger\u2014peeled and thinly sliced\u2014to cider, orange peel and spices before bringing to a boil. Ladle into mugs or glasses and serve with a piece of fresh pineapple.   Hot Toddy Add 2 Tbsp (1 oz) brandy or spiced rum to mugs or serving glasses before adding the mulled cider.   Handy Tips 1. Utilize your slow cooker. Using a slow cooker to make cider not only cuts down on the cleanup, but will keep it warm while guests mingle. Just follow the steps above, but substitute the large pot with a slow cooker and let guests refill their mugs straight from the cooker using a large ladle.   2. Make a sachet. If you want to add a touch of flair, create a sachet to go with the cider. Put the mulling spices on a piece of square cheesecloth and tie together with twine\u2014the DIY creation will act as a tea bag. Another plus? You can give it as an adorable holiday gift, too.   Perfect Food Pairings Cider can be paired with just about anything, but certain foods bring out the sweet flavor even more. Serve one of these festive eats\u2014from casseroles to pies\u2014at your party.   Apricot-Raspberry Glazed Ham   Beef Stew   Green Bean Casserole   Apple Pie with Maple Whipped Cream   Gingerbread Men Cookies "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/food-recipes/food-drinks/a5373/mulled-apple-cider-made-easy-113691/>