Spiced Apple Pear Cider

Ingredients

Yield:

1 quart

• • 20 apples or about 7 pounds of apples
  • 2 pears
  • ¼ teaspoon brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice
  • Zest from 1 orange
  • Zest from 1 lemon
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • Optional toppings: whipped cream and caramel sauce

Preparation

Difficulty:

Medium

Total Time:

2 Hours

1. 1. Wash and then core and slice the unpeeled apples.
   2. Place the apples into a food processor until the apples are well blended.
   3. Once you have created an applesauce consistency, pour the liquid through a cheesecloth and into a large pot.
   4. You may also use the cheesecloth to squeeze additional juice from the pureed apples.
   5. Puree the pears and follow the same steps as the apples.
   6. Once all the apple and pear juice has been poured into the pot, place it on the stove.
   7. Turn the heat into a low simmer and add all the ground spices into the juice.
   8. Place the whole cloves, whole allspice, and orange and lemon zest into a cheesecloth tied at the top with cooking yarn.
   9. Place the bag of spices into the juice and let simmer (uncovered) for 20 minutes.
   10. To spike the spiced cider, add one shot of dark rum to one cup of cider.
   11. Pour the drink into a mug and garnish with whipped cream and caramel sauce.