September 27

I have recently found a lot of joy in drinking a mugful of something steaming hot and delicious. It’s almost always tea, sometimes hot chocolate, and even more rarely apple cider. In fact, I think that the one and only time I made apple cider was late last spring, when we got caught in a freezing cold rain storm wearing nothing more than shorts and a tank top. I got home, drenched, chilled to the bone, and all I wanted was a nice, spicy, hot mug of cider (which at the time was odd, how do you suddenly start craving something that you never consume?).


Either way, I am happy that I did because it is extremely comforting, naturally sweet and tangy, and a nice departure from my normal black tea. Now that we’re back to cooler times, this apple cider is going to become a staple to warm my chilly self. I find cradling a mug, warming my hands as I do work at my kitchen tables one of the smallest, nicest joys of my every day, and I’m glad to add this to my repertoire.

This cider is so easy to make. There’s some citrus zest, which adds some extra brightness and acid to the cider, some cloves and cinnamon for traditional spice and fresh apple juice that is extremely sweet and fresh even as it’s warm and comforting. Personally, I like diluting it a bit with a cup of water because I find it too sweet otherwise. Given that you are simmering it for 10 minutes, the flavour will concentrate even more, so I think that the water is definitely necessary. Make your own decision! This recipe is for one generous mug, but multiply it to warm up as many people as you need.