Spiced Sparkling Apple Cider
This spiced sparkling apple cider highlights the warm and comforting flavors of fall. This is THE drink to serve on Thanksgiving Day alongside anything from a hearty Thanksgiving meal to a big slice of your favorite pie. Each sip is infused with the flavors of warm apple pie including the forever popular cinnamon along with nutmeg and a hint of cloves. Although the spices harmoniously meld to create one incredible mocktail, they all have their time to shine. Initially, taste buds are welcomed with sweet apple flavor then the deep complexity of the cider as well as the brown sugar-based simple syrup sets in. The warm, sweet scent of cinnamon comes soon after followed by the nutty complexity that is nutmeg then the cloves' distinct pungency breaks through. And since this is a Thanksgiving-themed mocktail, each drink is finished with a few frozen cranberries to help keep the beverages cold.
Total Time: 40 minutes
Active Time: 10 minutes
IngredientsServes 6
Spiced simple syrup-
1 cup water
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1 cup light brown sugar
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2 sticks of cinnamon
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1 whole clove
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½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
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1-inch piece of orange rind
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6 cups non-alcoholic sparkling apple cider
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¼ cup spiced simple syrup
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1 cup frozen cranberries
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Add the water and brown sugar to a small saucepan.
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Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
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Stir and let boil for 3 minutes or until the sugar dissolves.
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Remove from the heat then add the spices and orange rind.
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Leave to cool for 30 minutes.
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Strain and store in a bottle or jar.
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Pour the sparkling apple cider into a pitcher with the simple syrup. Stir.
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Taste and add more simple syrup if needed.
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Pour into glasses, finish with frozen cranberries then serve.
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