Mulled Cider

Cider was the basic daily drink in most of the English colonies during the eighteenth century and for much of the nineteenth, so old cookbooks have many recipes for hot cider drinks, perfect for a winter evening. This recipe is based on a Shaker original.

INGREDIENTS

1 quart cider

1⁄2 cup orange juice

6 whole cloves

1 2-inch cinnamon stick

2 bay leaves

1⁄3 cup dark rum

Whole nutmeg

In a saucepan, combine cider and orange juice. Stir in cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaves. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Strain through a sieve to remove cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaves. Add rum, grate a little nutmeg on top, and serve immediately. Serves 6. The recipe can be doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.