Apple Cider

One of my favorite wintertime drinks is apple cider. What's the difference between apple juice and apple cider? Juice is filtered to remove solid matter, like seeds and skin, whereas cider retains its cloudy appearance due to their inclusion. From a nutritional standpoint, the two have nearly the same amount of calories, fiber, and sugar. I enjoy the stronger flavor of cider, but both are delicious.

Hot Spiced Cider Recipe (from Southern Living)

Ingredients

• 2  quarts apple cider
• 1/2  cup  molasses
• 4  lemon slices, cut in half
• 12  whole cloves
• 2  (2-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 1/4  cup  lemon juice
• Garnishes: cinnamon sticks, lemon wedges, whole cloves

Preparation

• Bring cider and next 4 ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally; reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes.
• Remove cinnamon sticks and cloves with a slotted spoon; stir in lemon juice. Garnish, if desired.

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