MULLED CIDER DAY (Plus recipe)

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  September 30th is MULLED CIDER DAY!! Last night we went to a farm near us and they had fresh pressed apple cider for sale.  We ended up coming home with 2 gallons, and I discovered that today was mulled cider day!! Perfect coincidence!  I love mulled cider(We call it wassail) in the fall. If we go out anywhere and they have hot cider or wassail, I am all over it.  One of my favorite things.  This apple farm we used to to to had SLUSHIE cider!! It was amazing. 

WHAT IS MULLED CIDER?

 Mulled cider is a traditional hot drink made from apple cider and flavored with spices like citrus, clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Traditionally the cider used is a "hard cider", meaning there is alcohol involved, but you can use regular apple cider for a chilly weather drink that everyone can enjoy.

Mulled Cider comes from the pagan tradition of Wassailing. Traditional wassail was made from mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, cloves, ginger and nutmeg and sugar. It was typically served in giant silver or pewter bowls. The term wassailing usually refers to the pageantry of carrying in the giant bowl with pomp and circumstance and splendor. A song was sung and then everyone partook of the wassail bounty.

Today Wassail generally refers to a hot apple cider stewed with various spices and fruits.  

Does anything smell better than a pot of wassail on the stove?  The whole house smells like autumn and thanksgiving and Christmas all rolled into one.  Cold fingers being warmed by the mug of spiced cider, a fire crackling away in the fireplace, maybe friends are over for a bonfire.  Hot Mulled Cider/wassail is the perfect treat.

Best part...if you make too much you can store it and reheat the next day!

This recipe uses 1/2 gallon of apple cider, so recipe yields about 8 cups

YOU WILL NEED:

1/2 gallon Apple Cider

1/2 lemon, sliced with peels.

1  small orange  sliced, with peels. 

10 whole cloves

3 star anise

3 cinnamon sticks

1/4 cup fresh cranberries

1 nutmeg pod, lightly zest the surface to scratch it up a bit

2 TBSP brown sugar

you will also need a mesh strainer.

in a large pot, combine the apple cider and brown sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved.  Bring to boil over medium high heat.  As it starts to come to a boil add the remaining ingredients and reduce heat to medium and let boil for 5 minutes.  Reduce heat to low and let simmer..the longer the better.

when ready to serve, pour cider through mesh strainer and into mugs. You can garnish with a cinnamon stick or a citrus slice if desired.

**You can try various spices for your own version.  Some people use ginger and allspice berries, some people only use orange, some people omit the cranberry. Some people love cinnamon and clove.  It is up to you how spicy and how detailed you want your cider to be.

** Dont feel like going through all that work?? There are premade mixture!! You just add it to your cider or hot water. stir and boil!! Or you can get premade spice blends with real bits of dried fruit and spice pods etc.

**Like the smell but not the taste?? Get a wassail/hot mulled cider candle!!

** Plus you need cute apple mugs to drink it from