Burns Family Mulled Cider

• Juice of 3 to 5 oranges
• Juice of 3 to 5 lemons
• 3 or 4 strips of orange zest (the rind without the bitter white pith)
• 3 or 4 strips of lemon zest (the rind without the bitter white pith)
• ½ to 1 cup of sugar to taste
• 5 whole cinnamon sticks broken into about three pieces each
• 3 whole nutmeg broken into pieces (easily done with a nutcracker)
• 2 tablespoons of whole cloves
• Apple brandy to taste (about one cup for the batch or a half shot per cup)

Mix all of the ingredients except the brandy in a pot, stirring well to dissolve the sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for thirty to forty-five minutes. Remove from the heat and strain the mixture to remove the spice pieces and rinds. Leaving the spices and rinds in the mixture after cooking will cause the cider to become bitter. Stir in the brandy or add it cup by cup as you wish. Please note this cider is delicious without the addition of alcohol. You can add a festive touch by putting a whole stick of cinnamon in each cup as you serve the cider.

This cider is perfect for evenings in front of the fire, apres ski and accompanied by Holiday cookies.