Mulled Cranberry & Maple Cider

The scent of simmering fruit and spices acts as a summons. It pulls people from the cold outdoors into the warmth of the kitchen. This cider is built on a foundation of three juices: tart cranberry, sweet apple, and bright orange. We bind them together not with refined sugar, but with maple syrup. This adds an earthy depth that complements the woodsy notes of cinnamon and clove.

It is prepared in a heavy Dutch oven which allows the flavors to meld slowly before being ladled into mugs. The result is a drink that warms the hands as much as the spirit. It serves a crowd comfortably, making it an ideal anchor for a holiday gathering or a long evening by the fire.

The Recipe Yields: 3 quarts | Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 cups cranberry juice
• 3 cups apple juice
• 3 cups orange juice
• 3/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 12 (6-inch) sticks cinnamon (for serving)

Instructions

1. Combine In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, combine the cranberry juice, apple juice, and orange juice. Stir in the maple syrup, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg.
2. Simmer Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes to allow the spices to infuse the juice.
3. Serve Ladle the hot cider into mugs. Garnish each serving with a cinnamon stick to use as a stirrer.

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