Spiced Apple Cider

Now, I'm not a huge fan of apples in any form, except sliced and smothered in peanut butter. MAYBE a caramel apple.

But apple pie, apple juice, apple cider, applesauce . . . not a fan. 

However, I do make this Hot Spiced Cider, courtesy of AllRecipes.com, just to make my house smell good. And then I hope that other people will drink it. You can use either a coffee pot, or a slow cooker. Directions for both are provided. Note, though, that when I tried to double the recipe and make two quarts (8 cups) of cider, my 10-cup coffee maker overflowed, so use at least a 12-cup coffee maker (or use the slow cooker method) if doubling the recipe. 

Hot Spiced Cider
Source: AllRecipes.com

Ingredients

• ¼ teaspoon whole allspice
• ½ teaspoon whole cloves
• ½ cinnamon stick
• pinch salt
• pinch ground nutmeg
• ½ orange, sectioned, peel intact
• 1 quart apple cider

Directions

1. If using a coffeemaker, place a filter in the basket, and fill with all ingredients except cider. If using a slow cooker, place a 6x6-inch square of cheesecloth on the counter, and place all ingredients except cider in the middle. Gather the corners, and tie the pouch with kitchen twine.
2. If using a coffeemaker, pour the cider into the coffee maker where the water usually goes. If using a slow cooker, pour the cider into the slow cooker. Place the cheesecloth pouch in the cider, with the end of the twine hanging over the side.
3. If using a coffeemaker, press the brew switch and wait for the cycle to finish. If using a slow cooker, turn cooker to low and let cider sit for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.