Hello, Apple Cider Season!

It's that time of year!  All things pumpkin and apple cider season!  Hallelujah.  

Given our recent house move, my home is still a wreck.  Not to mention, I've been under the weather and rather debilitated too. But that did not stop me from preparing 
some cider as soon as the summer-like weather (in October?!) here in DC went away.  Priorities, people.  

 

I know some people like to make apple cider from scratch.  With a toddler, a husband, a new house, a job, and did I mention a toddler?, I do not have time for that.  
Also, I am not Amish.  But I still like to do the next best thing.  

Bought this baby from our local grocery.  Pour however much you want into a pot.  
I used about half a gallon. 
Turn the oven on low.  Simma down nah!
Add a couple Tabslespoons of brown sugar and stir.

And now for some citrusy goodness.  Use one orange per gallon.
Cut it in half if you'd like to give your cider a more citrusy kick.  

Here's a special little infusion secret I learned from my friend Josh.  (Hi, Josh!)
Take whole cloves and stick em ever so nicely into the orange, 
so as to create an alien-like species of sorts.
It is tres annoying to me when little remnants of cloves get into my mug.  Hence this trick.  Don't use too many cloves though or else your cider will become way bitter.  
Stick it in the pot.    

Now meet the ALL STAR players of the season.  Nutmeg and Cinnamon!  Stick one cinna stick in the pot.  Add a few dashes of nutmeg.  
Your house will start to smell heavenly right about now.

Wait anxiously for ~20 minutes and then, voila!  It's apple cider time!  
Instant happiness in a cup!  Enjoy!  #sickiefaceselfie