Quick Fix: Mulled Cider!

I hope to do a few of these shorter, simpler recipes to ease you into cooking if you perhaps less experienced. This one, I promise is so easy you will laugh and wonder why you ever bought those little flavouring sachets at all! Perfect for an autumn or winter party, you can scale up or down as you like.

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Ingredients (per two litres of cider)

• Cider, obviously.I used Savannah Dry cider or a large bottle of Scrumpy. I used as flat a cider as I could find because they mull better than fizzy ones, and this one is vegan to accommodate a friend; I would recommend using one that is fairly dry and not very sweet, but you can personalise it how you choose.
• A couple of cinammon sticks
• A few slices of fresh ginger
• Cloves
• 1 or 2 star anise
• 1 apple, sliced
• 1 orange, peeled (with a peeler) or zested and sliced
• (Optional) 1 knob of butter
• (Optional) 1-2 shots of rum

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Put the cider into a large, heavy pan and heat until very gently simmering. It should be moving around but not bubbling over or spitting.

Add spices, fruit (and butter, rum).

Tip: If you want to make it easier to strain the cider, cut the foot of a (new!) pair of tights with a few inches to spare, add all the spices to the bag and tie it off.

Leave to simmer for at least an hour. You can easily leave this on the heat whilst you have guests around (it does make the house smell wonderful!) but if you are leaving it for more than 2 hours, I'd recommend straining to avoid any bitter tastes coming through.

Tip: This will keep in an airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard for a month or more - simply pour some into a mug and microwave for instant cuddles in a mug.

Whether you serve fresh at a party, or just keep as a winter treat in the cupboard, this warm, comforting drink never lasts very long!

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Source: My brain and my mum

Please drink responsibly! Alcohol is fun but it can be dangerous if abused. Go to http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/?gclid=CNeCxuK2g74CFWjpwgod1FkAtw for more info.