Hot Apple Cider

[vegelady]

     Ingredients:


     6 cups apple cider
     1/4 cup real maple syrup
     2 cinnamon sticks
     6 whole cloves
     6 whole allspice berries
     1 orange peel, cut into strips
     1 lemon peel, cut into strips



     Directions:


     1. Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan.

     2. Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed
        square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of
        kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.

     3. Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling.

     4. Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs,
        adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired.