Christmas Cider

By SewingDragonfly

Keep this cider warm in a fondue pot, deep chafing dish or crock pot. Be sure to make the spice mixture ahead of time so that it has time to dry.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons maple sugar, date sugar or brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 6 whole cloves
• 1 lemon, halved
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 2 cups apple cider

Details

Servings 1

Preparation

Step 1

In a small bowl, mix together sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Remove all of the interior part of the lemon. Use a spoon to pack half the spice mixture into each empty lemon shell. Tamp it down tightly. Set shells on a wire rack and leave in a cool, dry place for about a week.
To make the cider, combine the dried shells, cranberry juice and cider in a medium saucepan and simmer for at least an hour. Serve warm.

To make a thoughtful but inexpensive holiday gift, stuff lemon shells with spice mixture and dry for a week. Place stuffed shells in a small basket along with a decorative card with instructions for making the cider.