Three simple festive drinks for the holidays: Hot spiced cider is a classic. My version is a little different as I add gelatin for health and a very satisfying richness.
Ingredients:
Quantities are for each individual cup - multiply quantities for multiple servings.
1 1/2 cups of Unfiltered organic apple juice per person
1 heaping tsp of unflavored, organic gelatin powder
2 cloves
1/4 tsp of cinnamon
1/4 tsp of ground ginger
4 - 5 cardamom seeds
1 or 2 star anise
1 cinamon stick
Step by Step:
Combine cold juice and gelatin in a pan, stir and then and allow to sit for 1 min
Heat the juice slowly on medium, for 1 min or so or until the gelatin has melted - stirring occasionally.
Add the spices: Clove, Star Anise, Cinnamon stick and ground cinnamon powder, ground ginger and cardamom seeds.
Continue to heat very slowly on low / medium for 30 mins. Stirring occasionally to make sure that the gelatin does not burn on the bottom of the pan
To serve, remove the cinnamon stick and put it in the cup and then fill with the hot cider. You can remove the cloves and star anise, if you would like, but i think they look nice.
Tip:
If you want a faster solution: I've found that ' Republic of Tea's - Cardamom spice tea bag, does a good job of achieving a similar effect, a good deal quicker). That said, slow food is a joy unto itself :)