Hot Apple Cider

"I was inspired to make a hot cider recipe after tasting some at an orchard. I made this for a family get-together and it went over really well, and make the house smell fantastic. Found this on allrecipes.com"


INGREDIENTS:

1 gallon apple cider
2/3 cup real maple syrup
5 cinnamon sticks
16 whole cloves
16 whole allspice berries
peel from 1/2 lemon cut into strips (or use peeler)
peel from 1/2 orange cut into strips (or use peeler)

*cheesecloth*

Optional add-ins:

Caramel Vodka,
Captain Morgan's or
Cinnamon Schnapps

DIRECTIONS:

Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stock pot.
Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.
Place the saucepan over moderate heat until hot
Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs.