Right Spice Spiced Apple Cider
Serves 6-8 5 minutes active, 20 minutes hands-off
The Right Spice Spotlight: Star Anise
Star anise is one of the most beautiful spices in the world. It’s a perfect eight pointed star that looks almost too perfect to be real. It grows on an evergreen tree in southern China and has been used in cooking for over 3,000 years. Most people associate it with Asian cooking, but star anise is equally at home in your favorite fall drink.
What you'll need:
- 1 gallon fresh apple cider — not apple juice, real cider from the refrigerator section
- 3 whole star anise
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds
- 3 tbsp brown sugar or honey, plus more to taste
- Optional: a few slices of fresh ginger for extra warmth
Here's what you do:
- Pour the apple cider into a large pot over medium heat. Add the star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange slices, and ginger if using. Give everything a gentle stir and just let it be.
- Bring the cider to just barely steaming over medium heat. You want wisps of steam rising but no bubbles breaking the surface. Never let spiced cider boil. Boiling drives off the apple flavor and makes the spices taste harsh rather than warm and cozy.
- Reduce heat to very low. Add the brown sugar or honey and stir gently until dissolved. Taste carefully and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Cover and let infuse on the lowest heat setting for 20 minutes. This is the moment your kitchen starts smelling like fall.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher or ladle directly into mugs. Serve immediately.
Right Spice note: This cider keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop. It's also wonderful served cold over ice as a fall punch. Just skip the heating step and serve chilled with sparkling water for a festive non-alcoholic party drink.
Leftover whole spices can be reused one more time. Store them in a small bowl of water in the fridge and use within 2 days.