Mulled Cider

[Thanks to Terri Roberts (www.myspace.com/tei321) for this recipe]

Mulled Cider

[Acknowledgements]
This recipe based on pg 20 of "Mable Hoffman's Crockery Cookery," revised edition c. 1995 by HPBooks, a member of The Berkley Publishing Group, ISBN 1-55788-217-1.

[Notes]
I cook this in the crockpot on LOW temp for at least 5 hrs (and up to 7) prior to desired serving. I always make a gallon of this so have doubled the basic recipe for your convenience. Half a gallon wouldn't last long (and sometime the gallon goes pretty quickly too!) Here goes:

[Ingredients]
1 gallon fresh apple cider (rinse and reserve the container)
1/2 c. regular packed light brown sugar (watch your quantity if you substitute Splenda brand brown sugar--use half this amt--refer to pkg directions)
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
2 fresh oranges
4 cinnamon sticks
2 tsps of whole cloves
Cheesecloth for whole spices
Cotton string to tie cheesecloth into small bag

[Instructions]
Pour approx half of the gallon of cider into crock pot. Add brown sugar and ginger and stir well to dissolve. Then add the remainder of cider to crock pot.

Cut about a 8" square of cheesecloth, 2-3 layers. Break cinnamon sticks into smaller pieces. Place cinnamon and whole cloves into center of cheesecloth square, then pick up the four corners of the cheesecloth and twist to form a bag. Use approx 6-in piece of string to tie cheesecloth into a bag (I always use a square knot: tie right end of left, then left end of right. This will keep the knot secure and avoid spices spilling out.) Trim any excess cloth and string, but use care not to trim too small! You just don't want 2" of cheesecloth and/or string floating around in there, it would look gross.

Drop spice bag into crockpot and immerse. Wash the oranges, removing any stickers. Do NOT peel the oranges, but DO slice them into ~1/4" thick slices. Gently place orange slices on top of cider, they will float, pretty cool. You will probably have part of the surface covered with a double layer of oranges but don't worry, it will be worth it. If crock put it too full to cover with the lid without causing a flood, gently ladle out a bit of cider.

Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hrs. DO NOT UNCOVER OR STIR DURING THIS INITIAL COOKING PERIOD. I MEAN IT. [She means it!]

Place lots of generous-sized mugs next to crockpot, along with a ladle and a spoonrest. Remove spice bag and discard prior to serving cider. Stir gently and ladle out into mugs, inhale the heavenly aroma, and sip carefully, it will be freakin' HOT. The cider can be left set on low to stay warm in the crockpot for 3-4 hrs over the course of your gathering--if it lasts that long! Once it gets down the last 2" or so, I turn off the crockpot to avoid overcooking what's left.

If a miracle occurs and you do have any LEFTOVER cider, cool it, discard the oranges, and use a funnel to pour the cider back into the rinsed gallon jug, then refrigerate. To rewarm, make sure the lid's on tight, then SHAKE the container well as the spices will have settled some. Then pour into mugs and rewarm in microwave by the mugful until it's all gone. Usu a mugful is nice in ~2 min in our micro. Recommend using leftovers within 7 days or so.