Spiced Rum Cider

 

There are plenty of recipes out there for spiced cider, but this one has been the most successful. We served it at our "pre-thanksgiving thanksgiving" party and someone actually named it as what she was thankful for this year! Not to mention that we ran out of the spiced cider, which is probably the best endorsement you can get for a drink.

Our version is based on this Emeril Lagasse recipe. If you ask us (please, don't email us; it's a figure of speech), Lagasse uses way too much sugar. Cider is sweet enough, and you want to be able to taste the rum. Below is our edit of his recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 apple, studded with whole cloves (it should look like the Hellraiser of apples)

• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 gallon apple cider (don't be fooled by recipes that call for less, you'll need this much)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons allspice
• Plenty of grated nutmeg
• Sailer Jerry spiced rum (We got this suggestion from Lukas, and it's the perfect rum for the recipe.)
• Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Directions
In a pot, combine the studded apple and other ingredients, except for the rum. Slowly bring to a simmer over low heat. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Ladle into mugs and garnish each with a cinnamon stick. Let the drinker choose their own amount of rum (it's the giving season, after all).