Hot Buttered Cider for Cold Christmas Evenings

With winter's cold evenings moving in, not to mention the Christmas season, a warm drink inside can be a wonderful thing. Hot buttered cider is a perfect drink for those chilly winter evenings. Normally, this drink is made with rum. This non-alcoholic version is great for children, Mormon's, and other people who tend to avoid alcohol. If you want to imbibe, pour 3 tablespoons of rum into each mug before pouring in the cider.

Equipment Needed
Large Pot or Dutch Oven
Measuring cups and spoons
Strainer or Colander
Kitchen knife

Ingredients
2 quarts apple cider
8 cinnamon sticks
8 whole cloves
8 allspice berries
3 slices peeled, fresh ginger
4 slices lemon, halved
1/4 cup brown sugar
8 teaspoons butter

Directions
Cut the peeled ginger into thin slices, about the size of a quarter. Cut the four slices of lemon, 1/8 inch thick.

In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, ginger, lemon and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, to develop the flavors.

Remove from the heat and strain through a sieve or colander. Reserve the lemon slices and cinnamon sticks, if you want to dress it up.

Ladle 1 cup of hot cider mixture into each mug. Put one reserved cinnamon stick and one lemon slice into each mug, if desired. Float a 1 teaspoon butter pat on the surface of each mug, and enjoy.

Serves 8.

You can prepare this ahead of time, if you want. Just refrigerate it, then reheat before serving.

If you really want to get lazy, make this one cup at a time by preparing instant hot cider mix, and dropping in the butter. A few drops of lemon juice and a dash of ground cinnamon, won't hurt it, either.