Yesterday my niece and nephew poured into my house to kick off my Thanksgiving holiday. Before they arrived I put this cider on the stove so when they got here the house smelled warm and full of delicious spices. This is super easy, all you have to do it put everything in one pot and let the ingredients simmer together. In about an hour you have the most delicious cup to enjoy and you must top it with homemade whipped cream.....I need to go refill my cup this very instant!
1 gallon apple juice (I prefer Martinelli's)
1 cup of fresh squeezed orange juice (about 3 oranges)
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon whole cloves
2 tablespoons all spice
Pour the apple juice into a large stock pot. Squeeze the oranges in a glass, if pulp bothers you pour the liquid through a strainer before adding it into the stock pot. Place the cinnamon sticks into the pot. I use a tea ball for the whole cloves to steep in the pot or you can easily wrap them into a piece of cheesecloth. Lastly, I add the allspice. I stir the contents together and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the ingredients marry together for about an hour, stirring occasionally. You can remove the cloves and cinnamon sticks to make it easier to scoop the cider.
Homemade Whipped Cream
1 pint of heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 whole piece of nutmeg
In a metal bowl, pour one pint of heavy cream, 1/4 cup of confectioners sugar and a tsp. of vanilla extract together. Turn an electric mixer onto medium speed and beat until cream gets stiff, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to over beat, the mixture can turn quickly, you just want to beat it until the cream holds shape. You will use the nutmeg in the last step!
Ladle the cider into mugs and top each with a heaping spoonful of whipped cream. The first bit that hits the hot cider will melt right into the cider and create a layer to keep adding more whipped cream to the mug.
Once you reach your desired whipped cream amount (my preference being the more the better) take the nutmeg and grate it over the cream so you have a lovely sprinkle.
Serve and enjoy!
