Mulled Cider

Updated February 23, 2016

Chef

Cookbook

Nigella Christmas

Published by Hyperion

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This image courtesy of Joseph DeLeo

Much as I adore vin chaud, I think there is room to expand the repertoire of warm punch to get a Christmas party started, or to warm the body and soul after a brisk walk or a bout of carol singing (not that I could ever inflict my voice on anyone). This milled cider is mellow and fruity and, despite the rum sploshed in as well, mild to the taste and all too drinkable. Just make sure you don’t swig while it’s still mouth-burningly hot.

Make ahead tip:

Make the cider, strain and cool. Remove the cloves at this point otherwise the flavor will become too overpowering as the drink sits. Cover and keep in a cool, dark place for up to 2 days until needed. When ready to serve, return the mulled cider to the saucepan and reheat gently without boiling.

Makes1 ¼ quarts, enough for about 6 servings

CostInexpensive

Easy

Total Timeunder 30 minutes

Make Ahead RecipeYes

One Pot MealYes

OccasionCocktail Party, Family Get-together

Recipe Coursebeverage

Dietary Considerationegg-free, gluten-free, halal, kosher, lactose-free, peanut free, soy free, vegan, vegetarian

Mealdinner, snack

Moodfestive, romantic

Taste and Texturefruity, spiced, sweet

Type of Dishalcoholic beverage, beverage, fruit drink, non-alcoholic beverage, punch

Ingredients

1 quart apple cider
¼ cup dark rum
1 cup apple cinnamon tea, made up from an herbal teabag
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
2 clementines
4 whole cloves
1 stick cinnamon
2 fresh bay leaves, preferably Turkish
2 cardamom pods, bruised
1 x 1-inch piece unpeeled ginger

Instructions

Pour the cider, rum, and herbal tea into a wide saucepan, add the sugar and pour over a low heat to mull.
Halve the clementines, stick a clove into each half, and add them to the pan.
Break the cinnamon sticks in half, and tip into the pan. Add the bay leaves, bruised cardamom pods and whole piece of ginger, and let everything infuse as the pan comes almost to the boil.
Once the pan is near to boiling, turn down the heat, so that it just keeps warm, and ladle into heatproof glasses with handles to serve.
To make this into a non-alcoholic warmer, replace the cider and rum with 1 quart of apple juice and ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice. You probably won’t need the sugar, but taste when warm to see if you want a little and the add as you like.