Hot Spiked Cider

Another one of our Christmas traditions in Virginia is enjoying Hot Spiked Cider on Winter Holidays. When Fiancé and I arrived Christmas morning at my parents house, we had a mug of Hot Spiked Cider that my dad had just finished brewing waited for us.

Here is how my dad makes it:

Ingredients

1 quart water, 3 orange spice tea bags, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 2 cups apple cider, 1 1/2 cups light rum, 8 cinnamon sticks

Directions

1. Pour water into large saucepan and bring to boil. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes then remove tea bags.
2. Stir in sugar, apple cider, rum and 2 of the cinnamon sticks. Heat to steaming – do not boil alcohol. This will cause a flash of a fire flame! 🙂
3. Ladle hot cider into mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick!
4. Enjoy with family and loved ones!

Are you a hot spiked cider fan? What is your favorite hot winter drink? It can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic.