1. Cider spritz

    Half cider + half sparkling water

    Over ice with a slice of apple. More fizz for a lighter drink.

  2. Cider ice cubes

    Freeze cider in a tray

    Drop them into punch so it stays cold without watering down.

  3. Toast with it

    Sparkling cider in a flute

    The kids' table gets a toast too. Chill it well first.

Hot mulled cider

Recipe · Made with apple cider

Hot mulled cider

Serves 620 minutesEasy

Method

  1. 1Pour the cider into a large pot and add the spices and orange slices.
  2. 2Warm over low heat for 15 minutes. Don't let it boil, or it turns bitter.
  3. 3Taste, and stir in a little maple syrup if you like it sweeter.
  4. 4Strain into mugs and add a fresh orange slice to each.

  • Cider, not juice

    Cider is cloudy and unfiltered. If you can see straight through the bottle, you're closer to apple juice.

  • 100% apple

    The ingredients should be apples, and maybe vitamin C to keep the color. Skip anything called a "cider drink" or with added sugar.

  • Fresh or shelf-stable

    Farm-stand cider lives in the fridge and only lasts a short while. Shelf-stable bottles are heat-treated, so they keep in the cupboard until opened.