A delicious hot drink for the holidays: The Pioneer Woman’s Mulled Apple Cider Recipe. Perfect for the fall, holidays, or a cozy treat on a cold day.
I always love it when I’m done with Christmas shopping, and I get to sit down and enjoy a cup ofmulled apple cider.This The Pioneer Woman’s Mulled Apple Cider Recipe is amazing, and it’s so yummy to serve to company!
Table of Contents
Mulled Apple Cider Recipe
If you haven’t watched Ree’s cooking show on Food Network, or visited her blog, The Pioneer Woman, then you are missing out. (And a few years ago, that’s me in the white blouse riding Ree’s horse (LB) at her ranch. Check out the Chocka Mocka Locka Wocka post.)
Packed with everything delicious, Ree’s holiday cookbook covers 12 holidays!
I’m a picture-gal–I love pictures that tell a story, the whole story, and Ree’s photography is perfect for making me smile, especially when I see Charlie always posing for the camera!
Here’s a little excerpt from Ree, summing up what the book is about. Quite honestly, it’s more than a holiday book, because most recipes could be made almost any day of the week.
There’s nothing more delicious than a holiday.
Oh, is it ever true. Whether it’s the anticipation of Christmastime or the ghoulish glee of Halloween, if I see a holiday on the horizon, I simply can’t contain my excitement. There’s just something about the traditions, the family togetherness, the resurfacing of childhood memories . . . the making of new ones. Holidays are wonderful, special, and fun . . . and they always make me happy.
And one more thing: They make me want to cook! –Ree
Bringing people together
Who doesn’t get excited for the holidays and cooking?! Bringing people together in a cozy home, and making them happy with a home-cooked meal is my favorite!
Pour the apple cider into a large pot over medium-high heat.
Dice up the apples and toss them into the cider.
Peel the rind off the orange in large pieces and toss them in.
Add the allspice berries, the cinnamon sticks, and the cranberries.
Add the sugar and stir it around to dissolve.
Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Add the brandy if using, then simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Serve warm.
A strong apple flavour is a must, and the sweeter the apple, the better! With more sugar, the cider will be better-balanced and richer once you add the spices. Organic ciders are not made with apple concentrate or additives and therefore the flavours are intense and balanced.
Is mulled apple cider good for you? Mulled apple cider contains nutrients found in apples, including antioxidants like polyphenols. Antioxidants help protect against oxidative stress to keep cells healthy. Apples are also rich in quercetin, pectin, vitamin C, vitamin E and fiber.
Some people may call Hot Mulled Cider “Mocked Mulled Wine” since it's an alcohol-free version of Mulled Wine. Mulled Wine is a hot red wine (use an entire bottle) that is infused with Mulling Spices. Typically, it includes orange and/or apples, sugar or honey, and liquors such as brandy, cognac, rum, and vodka.
Storage: Mulled cider can be refrigerated for up to a week. Just bring it to a simmer before serving. Garnish: Orange wheels, a curled orange peel, thin apple slices, a cinnamon stick, or nothing at all.
Many alcohols mix well with apple cider. Dark liquors like bourbon (my pick) or dark rum are traditional, but they are by no means the only option. Vodka pairs well with apple cider and is a good light option. You can even let guests each pick their own.
Alcohol (some honey varieties, some fruits, and some adjuncts) can add bitterness. Bitterness balances sweetness. Low sweetness in the presence of higher alcohol will make the cider seem bitter. High sweetness and low alcohol will make the cider seem cloying.
Apple cider contains polyphenols, which are compounds in plants that act as antioxidants. They can help the body to fight against free radicals and cell damage, lowering your risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Polyphenols also help to ease inflammation in the body.
Mulled Cider, ABV 6.5% before heating! Our Mulled Cider is a mix of cider, sugar and spices and should be served piping hot. Some may wish to sweeten it further to taste. Chase away those winter sniffs and snuffles.
But fear not, hot cider, hot toddy, and mulled wine lovers: Around 85 percent of your beloved alcohol will survive the heating process. The U.S. Department of Agriculture did a study in 2007 that nailed down the numbers with the magic of the scientific method.
The best wine for mulled wine is dry and full-bodied, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Zinfandel, or Syrah. These will stand up to the other flavors and ensure the spiced wine won't be too sweet.
Wassail (/ˈwɒsəl/, /-eɪl/ WOSS-əl, -ayl, most likely from Old Norse "ves heill") is a beverage made from hot mulled cider, ale, or wine and spices, drunk traditionally as an integral part of wassailing, an ancient English Yuletide drinking ritual and salutation either involved in door-to-door charity-giving or used to ...
If the cider is supposed to be sweet, but you taste a more sour, vinegary taste, then the apple cider has turned bad. Another way of determining if the fermentation process has started is to notice if the color of the cider has turned darker, or if a film is starting to develop.
Could it still be safe to drink? Shelf limits can be up to two years, but according to Angry Orchard, one of the most popular cider brands, their cider has a shelf life for up to 12 months. Though alcohol technically does not 'go bad,' the flavor profile of the alcohol will change the longer the alcohol sits there.
In general, it's best to choose a medium-strength cider (around 6-7% ABV) for cooking as very alcoholic ciders can overpower your dish. Check the label to ensure the cider has a high fruit content and does not contain artificial flavourings.
Galas, Gravensteins, Newtown Pippins, Rome Beauties and Winesaps are a few common varieties that can add amazing nuances and depth to hard cider. Though you won't often find more than a few standard apple types in a regular grocery store, some specialty markets carry an expanded selection.
The process for making apple cider and spiced apple cider is the same. The main difference is that spiced apple cider is, well, spiced! It typically has been infused with flavors of different warm spices (like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg) versus regular apple cider which gets its flavor solely from the apples.
Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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