The Best Hot Spiked Cider

Just in time for Halloween and the harvest season, I present you with the BEST recipe for hot spiked (or not) cider.  This recipe is courtesy of H who serves this each year at her Hallo-wine Party. 

Hot Spiked Cider

Ingredients:
5-1/3 cups water

4 orange spice tea bags

2/3 cup light brown sugar

2-2/3 cups apple cider

2 cups light rum

10-1/2 cinnamon sticks1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon butter

Preparation:
1. Pour water into a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and toss in the orange spice tea bags. Cover and let steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in sugar, apple cider, rum, and 2 of the cinnamon sticks. Heat just to steaming -- do not boil. 2. Ladle hot cider into 6 mugs and drop 1/2 teaspoon butter into each. Garnish with a cinnamon "swizzle" stick.

Serves: 8

Here are some pictures of H, Rae Rae, and myself (dressed as Gilly) with the cider at this year's party:

H looking gorgeous as Audrey Hepburn

Rae Rae the naughty nurse

A serious moment with Gilly

If you haven't heard of Gilly, here is a hulu link to the SNL skit.  I love Kristen Wiig, here is my favorite sketch of hers.  And here is my Gilly dance at the Hallo-wine party: