Watkins Mulled Apple Cider

Ingredients

• 1/2 gallon / 1.89 L apple cider
• Watkins Organic Cinnamon Sticks
• 1 to 1 ½ tsp / 5 mL to7.5 mL fresh ginger, peeled and roughly sliced
• 1 tsp / 5 mL whole cardamom
• (or approximately 20-24 cardamom pods, crushed with a rolling pin or roughly chopped)
• 1 tsp / 5 mL whole allspice (about 30-35 allspice berries)
• 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp / 40 mL Watkins Organic Whole Cloves
• 1 to 1 ½ tsp / 5 mL to7.5 mL Watkins Organic Whole Star Anise (pieces, chopped)
• 1 to 1 ½ tsp / 5 mL to7.5 mL freshly grated orange peel (about half an orange)

Equipment

• Cheesecloth and string OR a sieve/mesh strainer.
• Stockpot, slow cooker optional

Instructions, cheesecloth method:

1. Add all ingredients (except cider) to a large piece of cheesecloth and wrap securely with string.
2. Add cider to a stockpot and bring to a simmer.
3. Add the cheesecloth wrapped spice mixture and steep for at least 10 minutes.  Taste and continue to steep for a stronger spice flavor.
4. Remove from heat, remove and discard spice mixture. Serve immediately or transfer to a slow cooker for holding if desired.  

Instructions, sieve method:

1. Add cider to a stockpot and bring to a simmer.
2. Add the spice mixture and steep for at least 10 minutes.  Taste and continue to steep for a stronger spice flavor.
3. Strain/transfer the cider into another stockpot or a slow cooker using a sieve/mesh strainer.  Discard spice mixture.
4. Serve immediately or keep cider heated in a slow cooker until ready.