Now that the chilly weather has hit my region, I've been trying out various ingredient combinations to make a hot cider, using only what I have on hand. These ingredients are ones that I regularly have in fall and winter, so any successful cider recipes that I create now will be repeatable throughout this year and in future years. My original intent was to come up with a hot cider for this year's fall and winter holidays. However, we discovered that crockpot hot cider is also a convenience item for "regular" days.
In the cold months, my family enjoys lots of hot beverages, including coffee, tea, cocoa, and spiced cider. In past years, I've bought these individual packets of hot cider mix. The ingredients in the packets leave a lot to be desired, in my opinion. Here they are as listed on the side of the box: "sugar, malic acid, maltodextrin, tricalcium phosphate (prevents caking), apple juice solids, caramel color, sodium citrate (controls acidity), ascorbic acid, natural and artificial flavors, spice extractive."
While I can appreciate how handy these packets are for bringing on the road while traveling, for everyday consumption, I've found a solution for my family that is just as time-saving, more affordable, and only contains ingredients with whose names I am familiar. I have been making crockpot cider on the weekends, then refrigerating the leftovers right in the covered crock. Family members ladle themselves a cup and reheat in the microwave whenever the mood for spiced cider strikes.
This is our favorite combination so far:
Spiced Cranberry-Apple-Orange Cider
48 ounces apple juice (I used frozen concentrate mixed with water according to package directions)
12 additional ounces of water
1 orange, sliced thin
1 cup whole cranberries (fresh or frozen)
2 cinnamon sticks
10 to 15 whole cloves
Add all of the ingredients to the crockpot and set on High for 6 hours. After 6 hours, reduce setting to Low for 4 to 8 additional hours. Using the back of a spoon or ladle, crush several of the cranberries to release their color and flavor. Serve or refrigerate to reheat later.
This will be our hot cider for the holiday season this year. I'll have a crockpot set up in the kitchen to welcome guests on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. I think the spicy-sweet aroma alone will be welcoming.
Cost Comparison
In comparing the cost of the cider packets to the homemade cider made with real-food ingredients, the two versions come out very close in price, with the homemade version just slightly less expensive per ounce than the packet. However, I think it's important to recognize that the packet contains very little real food, whereas a homemade cider like the one I made is prepared with only real-food ingredients and consequently has a higher nutritive value. This comparison is a bit like comparing a sugared soft drink to juice. My vote is for the homemade cider.
