Easy Spiced Cider

It just wouldn’t be the holidays without mulled cider. And this is so very yummy and so very easy.

Inviting scents of orange, apple, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg hang in the air. The warm and welcoming fragrance envelops you and soothes your soul. Who doesn’t need that? And it tastes as good as it smells.

Prep Time: 2.5 seconds flat
Start to Finish: 20 minutes

Ingredients
1 gallon apple cider
1 1.5-ounce tub/envelope Crystal Light Sunrise Orange (or Citrus Blend)
4 cinnamon sticks (break into pieces if you are using an infusion ball)
2 teaspoons whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Easy Spiced Cider: This recipe yields 16 servings, 1 cup per serving. Nutrition values per serving: Calories: 126.8. Fat-Total: 0.0 g. Fat-Saturated: 0.0 g. Cholesterol: 0.0 mg. Protein: 0.0 g. Carbohydrates: 29.1 g. Dietary fiber: 0.3 g. Sodium: 24.8 mg.

*Special note, use a wire mesh infusion ball (tea leaves ball) for the cinnamon pieces and whole cloves. Find one cheap in the cooking accessories section of most WalMarty, Targety stores. It takes the strain out of straining the cider. Otherwise you’ll have to pour the hot cider through a fine mesh strainer before serving. (To appease those who don’t like drinks with “things” floating on top.) And who needs that hassle?

Preparation
1) Combine all ingredients in a large stock pot or crock pot. (If using an infusion ball, put the broken cinnamon sticks and whole cloves inside and submerge it in the cider.) Add the ground nutmeg directly to the cider mixture.
2) Stir to combine and heat over low to medium heat for 20 minutes. DO NOT BOIL!
3) Strain (or remove infusion ball) and serve warm. (I keep a batch made up this time of year. Just refrigerate leftover cider and drink it cold—delicious!—or zap it in the microwave.)

—Happy Holidays-from my home to yours! Anita Peacock
http://www.mydiabeticbag.com/