Mulled Cider

 

Some people put their Christmas tree up on the 1st of December. Some of my American friends put their Christmas tree up the day before thanksgiving. Me? I'm a twelve days before, twelve days after kinda girl. I blame my momma; she told me that was the rule.

 

But then I started blogging. More to the point, then I started following a million (only barely exaggerating.. you should see my emails each day!) amazing bloggers, who all seem to get in the Christmas spirit way before me. This makes me want to put my tree up too!

 

Brief, but connected, tangent.... does anyone else use that certain soft drink company's advert as the marker for the start of the holiday season? You know, the one that has the amazing jingly bells, a proper old school Santa, lots of rosy cheeked people and declarations of the fact that "holidays are comin', holidays are comin'"?! Well, I always have. It's a well known fact in my family, and it's not unusual for Mr E or my momma to even get excited on my behalf when they see it for the first time. This year, they've let me down. Big style. No, not Mr E and my momma... the soft drink company. They always used to hold off until the beginning of December before showing the advert, and I liked that. This year? November 10th!!!! Dudes; waaaaay too early. I'm disappointed in you.

 

Rant over; I have a confession to make. Um... our tree is up! Yes, I caved. I used the excuse that we are barely home over the Christmas period, and I want to get my full 12 days in. I know, lame excuse, but I don't really care- the tree is up, the mantel is decorated (so excited to have a mantel to decorate now, I feel so grown up!) and the house smells deliciously Christmassy... mostly due to the fact that I permanently seem to have a pot of this mulled cider warming on the hob.

 

I love love love mulled wine, but I wanted a non alcoholic and somewhat lighter alternative that I can turn to whenever I want to warm my hands and top up my Christmas spirit. This mulled cider is just the ticket... spicy, fruity, cosy and refreshing all in one mug.

 

Oh, and if you do want an alcoholic version, just add a measure of rum to your mug and give it a good stir. Merry Christmas indeed!

 

Mulled Cider
Serves 6

Ingredients
1.5 litres apple juice
1 orange, sliced with skin on
6 cinnamon sticks
6 cloves
1/2 tspn ground nutmeg
1/2 tspn ground ginger
2 tblspns light brown sugar

Directions
1) Put all the ingredients in a large pot and bring to the boil over a medium heat.

2) Reduce to a gentle simmer, cover the pot and leave for about 15 minutes, giving it a stir now and again.

3) Turn off the heat and leave to sit for a few minutes before serving. Add either a cinnamon stick or a slice of orange to each glass... or both!

Now go turn on some Christmas music and get cosy.

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