Saturday, December 27, 2014

Hot mulled cider for friends of all ages



From the Maffini Elves aka Victoria Abbott

 

 

HOT MULLED CIDER





Everyone around here seems to love getting together for drinks and snacks all through the festive season.  This wonderfully scented beverage does the trick for any one.  Kids like it too!  It was the ‘house’ Christmas drink at our annual party at Prime Crime mystery bookstore for many years. Now it’s a staple at Maffini parties and open houses.  It came from a spiral bound cookbook and now all that remains is that one page. You can tinker with the proportions – sometimes we get the juice proportions backwards!  We usually use the lower sugar varieties of juice and brown sugar.  It is really delicious and smells like Christmas to us.  And have we mentioned that it’s quite pretty too?  Enjoy!  Your guests will.


1 ½ quart cranberry juice or cocktail (can use low sugar varieties too)
2 quarts fresh apple cider
½ brown sugar (or Splenda brown)
½ tsp salt
4 whole cinnamon sticks
½ tsp whole cloves
1 dash nutmeg
1 dash allspice




Combine the juices in a large electric coffeemaker (that one you've owned for twenty years or more) and put the other ingredients in the basket.  Perk through the cycle.  Remove the basket before you serve it to prevent sludge.   We are pretty sure this would be fine heated in a large pot with the spices and brown sugar tied up in cheesecloth.





This fragrant beverage is a big hit in this season.  You can reheat the leftovers in a pot if there are any and give yourself a treat when your guests are gone. 





We find the best way to clean the pot after this is to ‘perk’ through a full pot of clean water.  

Hope your Christmas was wonderful and your New Year is full of great food and loveable people and pets.

XOXO 

MJ and Victorian and pooches!














14 comments:

  1. I've always loved hot mulled cider, but only rarely do I prepare it. Thank you for the recipe, and for reminding me of this delectable treat!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Linda! It really is easy and delicious. Happy and Merry!

    ReplyDelete
  3. And the house will smell delicious while everyone enjoys their drinks. (You can always add a shot of your favorite adult additive--aka booze)

    Love your action shot of the elves with the doggies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Libby! It smells so good we should bottle it as fragrance. The action shots were fun in our loopy and barky fashion.

      XO

      MJ

      Delete
  4. What a beautiful drink - love the pics, too, especially those marvelous, mischievous Maffini elves!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cleo. Santa doesn't let us out much, but when he does ... look out!

      XO

      MJ/VA

      Delete
  5. That's such a darling photo! What rascally little elves! LOL!

    Funny, I never thought cider and cranberry juice would go together - until I tried it a few years ago. It's wonderful! I love making it in a coffee maker. Hmm, those Maffini elves are quite clever!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Krista! We've been making it for about twenty years at Christmas. It's easy to make and serve. We thank the elves of course.

      Hugs.

      MJ/VA

      Delete
  6. I love the photo of you lovely elves :). We love cider here and like Krista said never thought cranberry juice would go well but we are going to try it. Thank you for the recipe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you like it, Babs! Inquiring elves want to know.

      Hugs.

      MJ/VA

      Delete
  7. Love the picture of you two cuties! Cider is always so delish. Thanks! Happy new year!

    Daryl / Avery

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Daryl! All the best to you too, for the New Year!


      Hugs.


      MJ/VA

      Delete
  8. Hello ladies: Just wanted to add that I make my mulled cider in my crock pot. I have one with a great temperature gauge so that I can control the heat really well. I get it nice and hot and then let it simmer or steep to bring out all the flavor of the spices. I have been buying a mulled cider mix of spices and those work out great if you can find them, otherwise, the spices you recommended are just fine. In the ones that I buy, there is also star anise and a bit few black peppercorns or red peppercorns too I believe. Each brand is a little different but all are great.
    I make this every time I host our book club in the fall and also for our fall birthday parties or get togethers and everyone seems to love it. Serving it tomorrow at a post Christmas brunch actually. Love your books too I want to add.
    Happy New Year,
    Cynthia B

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you, Cynthia! The crockpot is a great idea. I will give that a try too!

    Glad you like the books. Happy brunching!


    Hugs, MJ

    ReplyDelete