Warm, sweetly-scented apple cider is on the menu for cozy fall nights and lazy Sunday afternoons. And that’s excellent news, because the old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” may, in fact, be words to live by.
Rich in antioxidants,
apples help to prevent the fat in cell membranes from deteriorating too quickly. This is particularly helpful for the cardiovascular system, where fat deterioration in the cell membranes actually increases the risk of clogged arteries (aka atherosclerosis) and heart disease. Cell membranes need to be in tip-top shape!
So if you’re looking for a warming fall sip that’s also good for your health, this homemade mulled cider is it.
Bonus: It makes your house smell like a bakery. Pull up a seat and let’s get cozy.
Homemade Mulled Apple Cider (makes 2-3 servings)
*If you have a juicer: 2 lbs fresh apples, a variety of different apples. Be sure to use some sweet apples. This allows us to leave the sugar/sweetener out of the recipe. (
This is a good resource.)
*If you do not have a juicer: 3 - 3.5 cups fresh-squeezed apple juice
½ cup water
2 3-inch cinnamon sticks
3 allspice berries
1 clove
2 inch knob of ginger, sliced
½ orange cut into slices
Dark rum for serving, optional
Directions
1. If you have a juicer, juice the apples with the skin on.
2. Place the juice and the remaining ingredients in a medium-sized pot and bring to a boil. Turn down to low immediately and allow the cider to simmer very gently for 30 minutes.
3. Strain and serve warm with an ounce or two of dark rum, if you like.
