The holidays are the most exciting time of the year to eat, drink and be merry! That's why we're launching our Holiday Drinks Series - to bring you cozy and crafty recipe inspo, courtesy of some of our friends in our #mannahydration family.
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Let's kick off this series with none other than a versatile, family-and-adult-friendly Mulled Cider, courtesy of Kate van Geldern Bowler, author of the award-winning lifestyle blog Domestikatedlife.com:
"If the last year taught me one thing, it’s that we hearty New Englanders can entertain outside all year round. We throw on our coats, grab some cozy blankets and enjoy the chillier seasons with outdoor movie nights and backyard gatherings! No cold weather celebration is complete without a toasty mulled beverage to warm you up, I love making a mulled apple cider and pouring into a Manna Hydration Boulder Mug!"
Kate's Mulled Cider
You'll need...
2 Qt of Apple Cider
1 Large Orange, quartered, plus more for serving
1 Large Pear, quartered
4 Cinnamon Sticks, plus more for serving
4 Whole Allspice Berries
2 Whole Cloves
1 Tsp of Nutmeg
Bourbon (optional)
- Place all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer for about 20 minutes, until warmed through and fragrant.
- Remove fruit and whole spice with a slotted spoon before serving.
- Pour warmed mulled cider into a mug, add 1 oz of Bourbon (optional) to spike your cider! Garnish with more cinnamon sticks and orange slices.
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Now for a quick Q&A with Kate about her delicious recipe:
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Manna: Thank you so much for crafting this recipe just for us, Kate! So, who do you most love sharing this mulled cider with?
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Kate: This mulled cider recipe is a fun and versatile drink because you can make it non-alcoholic and then add the bourbon in for adults that want to spike it. If you're entertaining a crowd you can keep it warm on the bar in a crockpot and let guests fill up and garnish their own mugs. It's a really fun recipe to bring out for Thanksgiving or holiday open house parties. I think it's also perfect for serving around a bonfire!
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Manna: We love that you chose our Boulder Mug to serve your cider in!
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Kate: I love the Boulder Mug colors, they've got perfect tones that coordinate with a lot of my fall decor - perfect for these seasonal outdoor gatherings! When friends and family visit at the holidays, I love to have a few extra to-go mugs on hand so we can fill them up with a warm beverage and take them on walks while exploring our seaside town.
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Manna: Given your expertise with all things delicious, what do you suggest pairing this recipe with?
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Kate: Serving Mulled Cider for an outdoor party is all about adding warmth for my guests. When we have outdoor movie nights on our porch I've made individual chicken pot pies that are a hit with my friends and family. It's a comfort food that pairs perfectly with a comfort beverage like the warm cider.
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Manna: Great inspo, Kate! We will be sure to check out all of your delicious creations and try some out for ourselves.
Kate of @Domestikateblog is the author of the award-winning lifestyle blog Domestikatedlife.com, a site filled with festive hostess tips, simple recipes, and DIY projects that all aim to make life entertaining! She is also the author of the cookbook New England Invite: Fresh Feasts to Savor the Seasons and has been featured in publications such as Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes & Gardens and EatingWell.