Bobbing For Apples

I love apple cider. Love it. Few things do the trick on a cold autumn/winter's eve as well as a steaming mug of this stuff. In a perfect world you'd be smashing up your own apples and creating recipes like the one below from scratch, but when you need something quick to serve a room full of guests you just don't have time to go bobbing for apples. The recipe below uses those easy-to-find jugs of apple cider as its base (make sure to get apple CIDER and not apple cocktail or apple juice) and can be whipped up in 30-40 minutes if you're pressed for time. There's no rushing deliciousness.

There a host of secret family recipes out there for getting a perfectly balanced apple cider; if you care to share yours feel free to comment below.

Foggy's Mulled Apple Cider

Ingredients:

1 gallon fresh/bottled apple cider

16 oz spiced rum (Captain Morgan's is perfect)

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 oz sour apple schnapps

3 oz cinnamon schnapps

1 tsp whole cloves (about 6-7)

1 tsp allspice

3 cinnamon sticks

1 red delicious or granny smith apple

Instructions:

In a large pot (a friend of mine, who lived in the apartment below me in college, suggests a slow-cooker or crock pot rather than heating over the stove), pour the cider, schnapps, half the spiced rum, and brown sugar and heat to a boil while stirring to incorporate all ingredients. Add the spices, either by dropping them in or wrapping them in cheesecloth or mesh bag if you don't want them floating around in the cider. Slice the apple and add those as well, then continue stirring until the mixture reaches a boil. At this point, lower the heat to a simmer and add the rest of the spiced rum, continue stirring and let sit on low to medium heat for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Serve warm with a ladle into mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick or apple slice. Serves at least 12-15 people.

Stay warm,

Foggy