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–+ servings
A pot of spiced apple cider with a pomander, apples slices, and spices.
Print Recipe
Spiced Apple Cider with Bourbon
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
This simple spiced apple cider recipe with bourbon and a clove-studded clementine pomander makes for the perfect holiday cocktail.
Makes: 10 servings
Author: Elizabeth Stark
Ingredients
  • 40 or so whole cloves
  • 2 clementines , 1 whole and 1 thinly sliced
  • 2 quarts apple cider
  • 1 small apple , thinly sliced horizontally with seeds removed
  • 2 lemons , 1 thinly sliced plus 2 tablespoons juice from the other
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 8 allspice berries
  • 2 star anise
  • bourbon
Instructions
  1. First, make your clementine pomander. Use a sharp knife to poke holes every half inch or so in 6 vertical strips. Pierce each hole with a whole clove.
  2. Pour cider into a large sauce pan, add pomander, clementine and lemon slices, apple slices, cinnamon sticks, allspice, and star anise. Warm over medium heat until cider is steamy, then turn heat to low and simmer for at least 20 minutes.
  3. To serve, ladle about 3/4 cup cider into mugs. Fish citrus and apple slices out of cider pot for garnish. If desired, top off with 1 1/2 ounces bourbon for each 3/4 cup cider.