Spiked Cider with Apples from New York

Ingredients:

• 5-6 apples
• 1 gallon unfiltered apple juice or apple cider
• 1 large orange, cut into 1/4" slices
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 4 star anise
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon whole allspice
• 1" ginger root, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups spiced rum

Directions:

Apple Juice:

1. Clean and chop the apples, discarding the core with the seeds. Optionally, peel the apples

2. Add the apple pieces to your blender along with 1/2 cup of water, and blend

3. Optional- to remove the pulp, strain juice to get rid of pulp

Spiked Apple Cider:

1. To a large 10qt dutch oven, add apple juice, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves, whole allspice and ginger root.

2. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cover for 2-3 hours.

3. Add rum to the apple cider mixture

4. Remove fruit and spices from the pot

5. Serve!

Optional: garnish with orange slices, apple slices, or spices