Apple Cider’s Back Baby!!

This time of year pumpkin spice gets all the attention. Yes, when it bust onto the scene it was the “new” thing for fall flavour but honestly this is one consumer who has rediscovered the wonder of apple cider.

Cider is the original autumnal beverage. For centuries there has been someone, somewhere, washing, mashing, spicing, bottling and more than occasionally fermenting the juice from the apple and turning it into a great drink. We know it was originally the British that created what we now know as cider, what we are not sure of is when. In 55 BC when the Romans entered Britain, cider was already present on the island.

As you part your lips and tilt your glass it comes as no surprise that what you taste is irrefutably apple. What makes this drink so special is the balance between sweet, tart and spice. For those cool evenings some may add a splash of whisky or brandy into their mugs for an extra little something. Served hot or cold, hard or soft: here for your pleasure is our take on apple cider.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

8 cups water

10 apples, cored and chopped – skin optional

1 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon

¼ Tbsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. ground cloves

Directions:

1) Add all ingredients into a large pot.

2) Place on medium to low heat on the stove.

3) Simmer for a minimum of 30 minutes, stirring occasionally

4) Mash the apples in the pot, simmer for at least 10 more minutes.

5) Strain and serve or cool and refrigerate for later use.

There is a time for new, just as there is a time for old. The classic apple cider has hidden in the shadows for long enough. As the battle rages on between pumpkin spice and apple cider for fall sipping supremacy which side are you on?