Spiced Cherry-Apple Cider

Description

Source: Christmas With Southern Living 2003 - Southern Living

Bing cherries, vanilla bean, and peppercorns give this cider fresh appeal. It's equally good served warm or chilled. It's simmered in a slow cooker, so a wonderful aroma fills your home all day.

Ingredients

• 2 (15-ounce) cans pitted Bing cherries in heavy syrup, undrained
• 12 cups apple cider
• 3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons peeled, grated fresh ginger
• 15 whole cloves
• 15 whole black peppercorns
• 3 (3") cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla bean, split
• Cinnamon sticks (optional)

Directions

1. Drain 1 can of cherries.
2. Process drained and undrained cherries in a blender on HIGH until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.
3. Combine cherries, cider, sugar, and ginger in a 4 1/2 quart electric slow cooker.
4. Place cloves and next 3 ingredients on an 8" square of cheesecloth; tie with string, and add to slow cooker.
5. Cover and cook on LOW 8 hours.
6. Discard spice bag.
7. Strain cider, discarding pulp.
8. Return cider to slow cooker; serve warm with cinnamon stick stirrers, if desired.

Yield: 13 cups