Hot Buttered Cider with Ginger and Cinnamon

Description

Warm yourself with this fragrantly spiced, nonalcoholic beverage after a frosty night of caroling. — Stephen Ceideburg

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp whole cloves
• 3 tbsp whole allspice
• 2 sticks cinnamon
• ¼ cup sliced candied or crystallized ginger
• 6 cups apple cider
• 2 cups orange juice
• ½ cup lemon juice (1 lemon)
• 1 stick butter, cut into thin slices
• 16 cinnamon sticks, for serving

Directions

1. Mix the water and sugar in a large non aluminum saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer 5 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the cloves, allspice, cinnamon and ginger.
4. Let the mixture stand for 1 hour or longer.
5. Strain into a bowl and return to the saucepan.
6. Stir in the apple cider, orange juice and lemon juice.
7. Serve in mugs with a slice of butter on top and a cinnamon stick.

Note: the punch may be prepared several hours ahead and reheated before serving, if desired