I was planning to make a hot spiced cider from scratch when I tasted a sample of Trader Joe's Spiced Cider -- pure ingredients and as good as the one I was planning to make. Simple and good!

Awww, we don't have a Trader Joe's here. I think we are going to get one in 2012. Thanks anyway.

These recipes are out of my Holiday Celebrations Cook Book
I've made all and they are great.

Hot Spiced Cider
2 quarts apple cider
2/3 cup Karo light or dark corn syrup
3 cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp whole cloves
1 lemon, sliced
Cinnamon sticks and lemon slices (optional)
In medium saucepan combine cider, corn syrup, cinnamon sticks, cloves and lemon slices. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat: simmer 15 minutes. Remove spices. If desired, garnish each serving with a cinnamon stick and lemon slice.
Makes about 10 servings.

Hot Holiday Punch
4 cups apple cider
1 cup granulated suar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick
12 whole cloves
2 cups grapefruit juice
2 cups orange juice
orange slices (optional)
Maraschino cherry halves (optional)
Whole cloves (optional)
Combine apple cider and sugars in large saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugars dissolve. Add cinnamon stick and cloves. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes. Add grapefruit and orange juices. Heat, but do not boil. Strain into heatproof punch bowl. Garnish with orange slices decorated with maraschino cherry halves and whoe cloves. Serve in heatproof punch cups.
Makes 8 8oz servings.
Linda

I take apple juice and throw in whole cloves and cinnamon sticks (I break up some of the cinnamon sticks) and then usually simmer on the stove top.

Makes the house smell awesome!

I keep it pretty simple for my hot cider. Into a saucepan I pour the apple cider. Add two cinnamon sticks, some brown sugar if the cider isn't to my sweetness and a twist of orange rind. Simmer for a short while till hot. If I want it spiked I'll add apple jack to my mug of hot cider, not the saucepan. NancyLouise

Our fav mulled wine is the Scandanavian Glogg

Alexa

Glögg is hot, spiced wine, perfect for cold winter evenings. Just follow this easy Glogg recipe to make your own great-tasting spiced wine. Variations are optional and add great personalized taste to your own "Glögg"!

Ingredients:
â¢1 bottle of red wine
â¢0.5 Liter inexpensive brandy or vodka
â¢10 cardamom pods
â¢1 cinnamon stick (broken down)
â¢1/2 orange peel (dried or fresh)
â¢1/2 lbs sugar (regular or lumps)
â¢Optional additions: 5 cloves, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup almonds, 5 dried figs

Preparation:
Heat the wine and brandy spices, fruit, and nuts in a pot (and any optional additions you might like.)
Be careful not to boil the mixture; just let it simmer for about 45 minutes.

Then, strain through a cloth to remove all additions.

Serve your Glogg hot over lumped sugar (or with regular granulated sugar).

Optional: You can also serve the Glogg with raisons or almonds. If you'd like the drink to be stronger, use more brandy.

This Glogg recipe makes approx 1.5 Liter (close to 1/2 gallon).

I first had mulled cider several decades ago at Boscobel, a historic old house in the Hudson River Valley. About 8 years ago, I emailed public relations at Boscobel, asking if they still had and would they share the recipe? They did and they did! The recipe says it is similar to the wassail served during the holidays in the USA around 1808. I make about 4-5 gallons every time we have one of our Almost Annual Holiday Parties, and it's always a hit. I've never added the optional rum.

Kathy

2 gals cider
2 whole lemons, sliced
2 whole oranges, sliced
10 whole cloves
1 box cinnamon sticks
1 TBSP powdered cinnamon
1 TBSP ground nutmeg
2 cups light rum (optional)

Mix everything together and heat till just simmering. Keep over a low flame or in a crockpot to keep hot.

I love glogg which I make similar to Alexa except I don't use figs or almonds. But now I just might have to try them in it! Actually, they sell spiced wine at my local winery which has an outlet three blocks away so I tend to serve that and give it as gifts. It's good and easy!

For hot spiced cider, I like to mix cider with cranberry juice, or even cran-raspberry juice. I also float a cut up orange in it studded with a few cloves. I add a whole cinnamon stick, couple allspice berries and cardamom buds and a hunk of candied ginger. Add apple wine or apple brandy if you want a kick. I love the stuff!

Nowdays with this darn low acid diet I have to be on, I mix in pear and blueberry juice, I can't do citrus or cranberry juice anymore. :(

These all sound so good, thank you for taking the time to post them. Cheers!

I have made this for decades. 1/2 gallon of apple cider, 15 whole cloves, 3 or 4 sticks of cinnamon bark, one orange. You can stud the orange with the cloves if you prefer. Bring the cider just to the simmer and back it down to under simmering right away. It takes 45 minutes for the flavors to blend, and a crock pot is a good way to heat it. Into the bottom of a mug, pour a jigger or less of rum or brandy for adults, then fill with the cider. After another hour, be sure to take out the orange and spices as they can turn bitter. You can add star anise or allspice berries too.

Our stock cold weather drink is just cider simmered with a cinnamon stick and a few whole allspice...and maybe a bit of brown sugar. And a shot of rum.

I often make this for Christmas parties. Rum, Capt. Morgan or White Christmas on the side.

Wassail

2 quarts apple juice or cider
1 can pineapple juice
1 quart cranberry juice
3 cinnamon sticks -- or 4
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg -- optional
6 whole cloves -- optional

Combine and warm in crockpot for several hours. Float lemon slices on top if desired.

I'd forgotten all about this one. I just found it in my files and set it out, thinking it'd be nice for a brunch. From a recipe card I picked up at a grocery store a gazillion years ago.

Hot Peach Grog

Makes eight mugs

1 29 oz. can peach slices
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups apple juice or cider
2 cinnamon sticks
8 shots rum -- or 1/2 tsp. rum extract
1 lemon, sliced and studded with cloves -- optional

Puree peaches and syrup in blender.

Add peaches to lemon juice, apple juice, cinnamon and lemon slices.

Bring just to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.

Remove lemon slices and cinnamon sticks. Either add rum extract or use one shot rum for each mug.