Crock Pot Mulled Cider
and other Warm/Hot Drink Recipes

Crock Pot Mulled Cider

• Peel of ½ orange - cut into pieces
• 1 broken cinnamon stick approx. 6 inches in length
• 1 inch piece ginger root peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 tsp Allspice
• 8 cups apple cider or apple juice
• ¼ cup honey
• 8-inch square of cheesecloth.

• Tie orange peel, cinnamon, ginger root and allspice in cheesecloth.
• Combine apple cider or juice and honey in a crock-pot.
• Add spice bag.
• Cover and cook at low setting for 5 to 6 hours.
• Remove and discard spice bags.
• Serve hot.

Tree Trimming Cider Punch

• 1 gallon apple cider
• 12 whole cloves
• 1 large apple, peeled and left whole (Granny Smith are ideal)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Ground nutmeg

• Pour apple cider into large pot.
• Insert 6 cloves into each apple.
• Add apples and cinnamon sticks to pot.
• Bring to boil.
• Reduce heatand cover
• Barely simmer over extremely low heat for at least an hour.
• Serve in mugs and garnish with nutmeg.

Warm Milk Punch with Indian Spices

• 4 cups water
• 8 whole cloves
• 4 whole cardamom pods
• 1-teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 ¼ inch thick slice of fresh ginger
• 3 bags (or 3 TBS) Darjeeling tea
• 1-cup milk
• ¼ cup sugar
• 4 orange peels (about 3 inches in length) for garnish (optional)
• Additional cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)

• Combine the first 6 ingredients in a saucepan and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add tea and remove from heat.
• Cover pan and allow mixture to steep for ½ hour.
• Strain liquid into another pan and add milk and sugar.
• Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves.
• Pour into 4 cups, garnish with orange peel and cinnamon sticks, if desired.

Orange Scented Hot Chocolate

• 2 cups Milk
• 4 ounces chopped bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate
• 3 strips of orange peel (orange part only!) approx. 2 inches in length
• ½ tsp. Instant Espresso or regular coffee powder
• 1/8 tsp. Ground nutmeg

• In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients
• Stir over a low heat until the chocolate melts.
• Once the chocolate is melted, remove the mixture from the heat and whisk it until it is frothy.
• Repeat three times. (Heat to boil, whisk until frothy).
• Discard the orange peel.

This can be prepared up to two hours ahead of time. Let it stand at room temperature until ready to serve.

• Just before serving bring to boil
• Remove from heat and again, whisk until frothy.
• Pour into coffee mugs.

Hot Tea Punch

• 6 cups water
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 8 whole cloves
• 5 tea bags
• 1 ½ cups orange juice
• 1/3-cup fresh lemon juice

• In a large saucepan over heavy heat combine first four ingredients
• Bring them to a boil.
• Continue to stir until sugar dissolves.
• Remove the liquid from the heat and add the tea bags.
• Cover and allow tea to steep for ten minutes.
• Remove tea bags.
• Add orange and lemon juice.
• Use a slotted spoon and remove whole spices.
• This can be prepared a day ahead.
• Cover and refrigerate until it is ready to use.
• Rewarm before serving.

Wassail and Glogg

Another holiday favorite is one of many variations of Wassail, which originates from the Norse "ves heill" or "be in good health".

Wassail usually consists of wine or ale sweetened with sugar and flavored with spices such as cinnamon and clove.

Non-alcohol versions usually replace the alcohol with apple juice or cranberry juice.

Glogg is another traditional holiday drink (pronounced GLUHG). Once again it is a hot drink with spiced wine in addition to Aquavit, Brandy or Vodka. Needless to say, juice can be substituted.

The interesting twist in Glogg is the inclusion of chopped almonds and raisins in each cup as it is served.

Irish Coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup hot coffee
• 1 oz. Irish Whiskey
• 3 sugar cubes (or 2 tsp. Brown sugar)
• Whipped cream (for garnish)

• Brew the coffee
• Mix in Irish Whiskey and sugar, stirring to melt sugar.
• Just before serving add heaping dollops of whipped cream to garnish.
• Enjoy!