Sorry for not putting this up yesterday, or the day before.  I got sidetracked with my major award!
The orange zest in this cider hints at the orange glaze on the brioche doughnuts, making it the perfect complement.  Enjoy!
Oh, and if you don’t have all the things like cardamom pods or whole anise florets, just toss in whatever you have.  It will still taste good.

spiced apple cider

1/2 gallon (2 litres) good apple cider
2-3 long strips of orange zest (use a vegetable peeler)
2-3 whole star anise
2-3 green or white cardamom pods
1 thin slice of fresh ginger
2-3 cinnamon sticks
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

Bring all ingredients to a boil in a large pot.  Reduce heat and simmer for five minutes.  Keep on low heat until finished serving.

12 Responses to “spiced apple cider”

1. Connie (the write one) says:

   24 October 2008 at 9:21 am

   I’m mildly confused by your picture. Is that ginger above the anise? Anyway, I love cider, and my husband and I have been making do with the powdered stuff. Of course, we have been dressing it up, but still…. it’s not the same. Feel free to leave a jug on our doorstep!
2. Jaime Richardson says:

   24 October 2008 at 9:26 am

   Yeah, sorry. Whoops. I forgot to mention that. I’ll go fix it right away!
3. leaca says:

   24 October 2008 at 9:39 am

   My mouth is watering already. Looks yummy.
4. Connie (the write one) says:

   24 October 2008 at 11:18 am

   Well! That makes it even better. There are few things that can’t be improved by a thin slice of fresh ginger!
5. Gera says:

   24 October 2008 at 2:49 pm

   Hi Jaime!

   I’ve enjoyed ciders but not with all these spices..they give a special touch in flavors & aromas; it looks fantastic!
6. Pam says:

   24 October 2008 at 4:22 pm

   This looks so good. It’s very cold today and this would hit the spot. I can’t believe I’ve never made cider before.
7. Jen T says:

   24 October 2008 at 8:48 pm

   It wouldn’t be fall without apple cider. Thanks for sharing! Curling up with a good book, a mug of this, and a blanket in front of a fire is about the perfect evening.
8. kat-in-texas says:

   25 October 2008 at 8:05 pm

   I’ve never tasted homemade cider before. We’re slowly getting cooler weather here, so it’ll be a welcome treat!

   Thanks, Jaime! YOu’re awesome!
9. Crystal says:

   6 November 2008 at 12:32 pm

   Hey! I have a question for you… I don’t hardly use fresh ginger, is there somewhere I can go to get just a little so I don’t have to waist so much? Or is there another option?
10. Jaime says:

    6 November 2008 at 8:55 pm

    I used to waste a lot of ginger, too, until I found out you can freeze it. Now I just buy a big root of it, stick it in a bag, and put in in the freezer. Then, whenever I need it, I just break a piece off and grate it with a microplane. If it needs to be defrosted a bit, I just run a piece under cool water until it’s soft. If I do this, a piece of ginger can last a whole year.
11. brioche doughnuts with orange glaze | sophistimom says:

    3 August 2009 at 12:15 am

    [...] And if you’re feeling like a supermom, be sure to whip up a pot of spiced apple cider.  Click here fore the recipe. [...]
12. apple week! cranberry almond baked apples | sophistimom says:

    6 October 2009 at 9:21 pm

    [...] It isn’t the fall without spiced apple cider [...]