Introducing a bewitching brew that will add a ghoulishly delightful twist to your Halloween gatherings—Shrunken Head Spiced Apple Cider. This eerie beverage is not only delicious with comforting flavors of apple, cinnamon, and cloves but also boasts a creepy visual appeal.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time40 minutesmins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: drink recipe, fall recipe, Holiday drink
Servings: 8people, 1 gallon
Calories: 14kcal
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1/2Brown sugaror maple syrup to sweeten or to taste
Instructions
Method 1
In a large stock pot or kettle, combine apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, oranges, and brown sugar. Place spices and orange slices in a cheesecloth pouch for easy removal. Simmer over medium to high heat for half an hour. Check the spice level is to your liking and adjust as needed. Once you're satisfied, remove the spices and serve hot. If you will be serving this later or desire it cold, pour into an airtight container once it has cooled and store it in the refrigerator. You can also reheat the cider to serve it hot in a slow cooker or coffee pot.
Method 2
This method won't produce as heavily spiced of a cider, but is much more handy, especially if you will serve it cold. In a 1.5 to 2 gallon container, pour your apple cider. Then add the whole ingredients including the sweetener. Shake to dissolve the sugars. Let stand in the refrigerator in an airtight container at least overnight before serving. Best enjoyed on a crisp autumn day or at your next gathering! Feel free to adjust ingredient amounts to your personal preference.
Apple cider vinegar is made through a natural fermentation process that begins with fresh apple juice.First, ripe apples are crushed to extract their juice, which contains natural sugars. Then, yeast is introduced into the juice, which converts these sugars into alcohol in a process called alcoholic fermentation. As the alcohol content rises, acetic acid bacteria, primarily acetobacter, are introduced.These bacteria convert the alcohol into acetic acid through a secondary fermentation process known as acetic acid fermentation.Over several weeks, the acetic acid bacteria continue to work, and the liquid gradually transforms into vinegar.This liquid is then strained and filtered to remove any remaining solids, resulting in the creation of apple cider vinegar, known for its tangy flavor and numerous culinary and household uses.
Apple Cider FAQ's
Here are a few frequently asked questions to help you as you prepare your best apple cider for your guests.
How do you keep apple cider warm for a party?
You can keep apple cider warm or hot in a warming coffee pot or beverage dispenser, in a slow cooker on low, or on your stovetop if you have a very low setting or a keep warm setting for your kettle.
What alcohol goes good in apple cider?
Rum, brandy, and whiskey go well in apple cider. Any liquor on the sweeter side tends to go well in apple cider. Spiced rum is particularly good.