Spiced Pomegranate Apple Cider
A warm holiday drink of pomegranate juice and fresh apple cider simmered with cinnamon, cloves and orange.
Ingredients
| 3 cups | 720 ml | pomegranate juice |
| 4 1/2 cups | 1.1 l | pressed fresh apple cider (no added sugar or spices) |
| 2 1/2 tbsp | 38 ml | packed brown sugar |
| 1 tsp | 5 ml | whole cloves |
| 1/2 tsp | 2.5 ml | whole allspice berries |
| 2 | whole cinnamon sticks | |
| 1 | large orange, cut in slices | |
| 1 drop | pure orange essential oil, optional |
Instructions
- Combine the pomegranate juice, apple cider, brown sugar, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon sticks in a small stockpot or large saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil for 5 minutes. Add the orange slices. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Alternatively, keep warm in a crock-pot on low if you are entertaining for the holidays.
- Do not add whole spices to glasses or mugs when serving. Place a slice of orange in each glass. Serve hot.
Alternate version: Ingredients: 1 cup pomegranate juice (you can also use cranberry juice); 8 cups fresh apple cider (1.8 l); 1/4 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar, honey or stevia; 2 cinnamon sticks; 6 whole cloves; 1 strip lemon rind; 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 large lemons); 1 strip orange rind; 3/4 cup fresh orange juice (from about 2-3 medium oranges); 1 large orange cut into thin slices. Instructions: 1. In a large pot, combine all the ingredients. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. 2. Drain with a fine mesh strainer or fish out spices and rinds using a fine mesh spoon. Serve warm with an orange slice in each glass/mug.