Hot Spiced Cider

The drink of wassail night itself: warm, spiced, and made for toasting the trees in your own yard. Simmer it low so the whole house smells like December. For apple-free households, pear juice swaps in beautifully.

Makes 8 cups · 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 cups apple cider (or pear juice for apple-free households)
• 1 orange, sliced
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 8 whole cloves
• 2 star anise
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
• Cinnamon sticks and orange twists, for serving

Instructions

1. Combine the cider, orange slices, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and brown sugar (if using) in a large pot or slow cooker.
2. Bring just to a simmer, then reduce to the lowest heat and steep 20 to 30 minutes. Do not boil.
3. Strain out the spices, or leave the cinnamon sticks in for serving.
4. Ladle into mugs, add a fresh cinnamon stick to each, and toast something worth celebrating.