Autumn is here!  Hot and spicy mulled cider will warm the soul on the chilliest Fall day.

Mulled cider is perfect for chilly autumn evenings, bonfire night, Halloween, romantic autumn picnics with leaves falling all around and, well just because it’s Autumn!

This is full of Fall flavours – apples, cinnamon and spices. If you want to give it a real kick, add a dash of rum at the end.

2 litres of hard dry cider – use medium cider if you prefer a sweeter taste.
2 cinnamon sticks
1 star anise
1 orange, stuck with 10 cloves
A few grates of fresh nutmeg
1 apple, cored and cut into segments
1 tablespoon of maple syrup, honey or 1 tablespoon of brown sugar – adjust to preferred level of sweetness.
Rum – optional

Gently mix everything in a pan over a medium heat and allow all the flavours to mingle. Leave on a low heat for around 20 minutes. Don’t let it boil and serve hot in heatproof glasses, mason jars or mugs, spiked with a shot of rum if desired and decorated with a cinnamon stick.

This recipe can easily be made family friendly by using cloudy apple juice, either from the supermarket or by juicing your apples straight from the tree (after washing and inspecting for insects!)