Cinnamon Apple Cider

Warm and sweet, this apple cider is sure to warm you up and create wonderful visions of sugar plums in your head.

Ingredients

4 lbs of granny smith apples

1 large orange

3 cinnamon sticks

5 cloves

1 tbs ground cinnamon

1/2 tbs nutmeg

1/2 tbs allspice

1 cup brown sugar

Cut the apples into fourth, removing the seeds and stems. Cut the orange into fourth and place all the fruit in a large pot. Fill the pot with water until 3/4 of the way full. Add ground spices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and brown sugar and stir.

Place the pot on medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a medium-low and cover with a lid. Allow the water to simmer for 2 hours while stirring occasionally.

After 2 hours, remove the oranges from the pot. Using a potato masher, mash the apples until well pulped. Allow the cider to simmer for an additional 45 minutes.

Prepare a separate pot or pitcher with a strainer atop. Slowly pour the cider into the strainer and using a spatula, express all the liquid out of the mashed apples. Do this until all the apples have been strained.

Serve the cider warmed and enjoy alongside your favorite Christmas cookies.