Michael’s famous hot apple cider! It is so good that I might have to use my most hated phrase of all time. Are you Ready? “You guys just don’t know!” Oh! I hate that phrase, but really… you guys just don’t know how amazing this cider is. This cider is my family’s favorite drink of all time.
It’s pretty magical. One winter evening a few years ago Michael and I had dinner guests over. After a delicious meal full of socializing and laughter, we decided to enjoy some of Michael’s famous hot apple cider that he prepared ahead of time.
We settled into the living room with full bellies to sip on our cider, and it didn’t take long before we were stepping outside into the biter cold air to cool off! Whew! This cider will seriously warm you up! No joke. It’s delicious though… you can’t stop. You will find yourself going in for seconds, thirds and fourths.
Now we get requests for his cider when family and friends come over to visit. Anyone who has tried it before, looks forward to it again and again. Until now, you could only find this recipe carefully locked into Michael’s mind. He agreed to share it with the Bread & With It followers, and I’m so excited he did! This recipe is the one and only of its kind.
His hot apple cider recipe has adapted over the years. He perfects it slightly each time he makes it. There are two variations. One is kid friendly. The other, not so much. If you want to really take it to a whole new level, add a dollop of homemade whipped cream and you will fall in love. Sink back into your chair and know… everything can wait. Heaven just got a little bit closer.
- 1 gallon Ryan's honey crisp apple cider
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks; broken in half
- 1 1/2 teaspoons all-spice
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch of fresh (prefered) or ground ginger
- homemade whipped cream
- Wrap seasoning in several layers of cheese cloth and tie with a string to form a bag.
- Pour apple cider into an extra-large sauce pan or stew pot. Place seasoning bag in apple cider. Bring cider to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon.
- For alcoholic versions, add 1 jigger butter-shots and 1 jigger rum to mug.
- Fill mug with apple cider. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and dust with cinnamon (optional).
Love apple cider! Looks fantastic! Need to make some, since I believe it is supposed to get cold again next week!