Cider Recipe

Prepare spices

Crush the cloves and allspice berries lightly with the side of a knife or in a mortar so they release more aroma. Keep the cinnamon sticks, star anise, and sliced ginger ready.

Combine ingredients

Pour 8 cups of apple cider into a medium-large saucepan or pot. Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, crushed cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks, star anise, sliced ginger, orange slices, lemon slices (if using), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.

Heat gently

Place the pot over medium-low heat. Warm the mixture until it just reaches a gentle simmer — do not boil vigorously or you’ll lose volatile flavors. This usually takes 8–12 minutes. Stir once or twice to dissolve the sugar and maple syrup.

Simmer to infuse

Reduce the heat to low so the cider stays at a bare simmer. Let the cider infuse for 15–25 minutes, uncovered, to allow the spices and citrus to meld with the apple. Taste at 15 minutes and adjust sweetness or spice intensity: add up to 1 more tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup if you prefer sweeter, or simmer a few minutes longer for stronger spice.

Strain and finish

Remove from heat. Using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, strain the cider into a heatproof pitcher or another pot to remove spices and citrus. Press on solids gently to extract flavorful juices but avoid forcing too much bitter peel oils.

Serve

Ladle the hot cider into mugs. If desired, add 1 oz warmed rum, bourbon, or brandy to each mug. Garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.

Make-ahead / slow cooker option

To make in a slow cooker: combine ingredients in a 4-6 quart slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 2–3 hours. Keep on warm for serving. Strain before serving. For larger batches, scale ingredients proportionally.

For a spicier ginger-forward cider, add an additional 1 tablespoon sliced ginger during the simmer step. For a lighter citrus note, substitute half the orange with a grapefruit slice. For a sparkling cider, chill the strained cider, then mix 3 parts cider to 1 part chilled sparkling water at serving to retain aroma.