Nothing says “fall” like a visit to the apple orchard. I headed to Curtis Orchard last Sunday to stock up on autumn necessities like apple cider donuts, pumpkins, and apple cider. As always, the orchard was bustling with families and college students searching for the perfect pumpkin and seeing “How tall this fall?”. I also snagged a recipe book containing old-fashioned dessert as a Christmas present for my dad– shhh don’t tell! I then proceeded to eat six donuts in succession. Oops. They are really that good though. And it’s only once a year. And they have apples in them. And I’m queen of justification. To wash it all down I concocted some cinnamon apple cider, and it was truly the perfect fall beverage.
Warm up with a steaming mug of cinnamon apple cider.
Most food blogs are currently flooded with pumpkin recipes, but this week I am doing something way simpler. Two ingredients, one saucepan. Just pour a glass or two worth of apple cider into the saucepan and toss in a cinnamon stick. The simple addition of this dried spice will take the cider to a whole new level. Let it heat on medium-low for as long as you can make yourself wait. For me, that was about three minutes. Don’t be like me. It gets better the longer you let the cinnamon infuse, so if you can hold off for 20 minutes it will be warm and cinnamon-y and perfect. Pour into your favorite mug, cuddle under some blankets, and enjoy fall!
Cinnamon Apple Cider
- 2 c. apple cider
- 1 dried cinnamon stick
Combine ingredients in a saucepan and heat on medium-low for about 20 minutes. Enjoy!
This recipe can of course be altered in just about every which way. If you are making a large amount, toss in another stick of cinnamon. If you want dessert, add caramel. If it’s been a long day at the office, add bourbon. The greatness lies in the fact that it’s hard to mess up. Just don’t forget the cinnamon!
