Rum Apple-Pear Cider

Image: 16 ounce glass mug filled with warm alcoholic apple cider and garnished with apple slice and star anise.

Description: When the weather cools down, I like to warm up my taste buds with this delicious spiced apple cider made with Dark Rum.

Yield: Makes 8-10 servings

Ingredients:

• 5 cups apple juice

• 3 cups pear juice

• 2 ½ cups dark rum

• 1/3 cup brown sugar

• 1 orange, zested, then peeled and sliced into rings.

• 3 thumb-sized nuggets of ginger, peeled and grated

• 4 tablespoon mulling spice

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 4 cinnamon sticks

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves

• 1 teaspoon grated fresh nutmeg

• 2 star anise + extra for garnish

• garnishes: cinnamon sticks, sliced apples

Directions:

In a 3-4 quart pot, add everything except the rum. Turn heat to medium. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover but with the lid tilted off. Steep on low setting for 30-45 minutes, depending on how long you feel like waiting.

Add rum and stir to combine. Remove lid but keep on the stove on low heat for another 5-10 minutes to warm through.

Strain the cider into individual garnished serving mugs or use a medium metal mesh strainer to strain spices and orange from the pot itself, then ladle mixture into serving mugs.

Serve in a mug/glass each garnished with your desired garnishes. Enjoy!