Hot Apple Mulled Cider: 2 litre batch.
We always associate Mulled drinks with Christmas but this is cracker of a drink for those cold January/Feb days.
Grind in a pestle and mortar grind the following:
150g of dark muscavado sugar
3-4 green cardamon pods
4-5 Star anise
1/2 a nutmeg grated
1 crushed cinnamon stick or a teaspoon of ground cinnamon
2/3 cloves
Core 3 large bramley apples and stuff with the above mixture, then roast them on very low heat in a baking tray until golden. Use a potato masher and crush the apples. Pour 2 litres of good quality cider, not bulmers! over and gently warm on a stove. Stir well.
Due to differences in apples and ciders you may have to add some more sugar so taste and add some more sugar if required.
Remove from heat and add 300 mls of Calvados (or good quality brandy)
Strain the entire mixture through a sieve and then when cooled through a new, rinsed J-cloth or finest strainer available.
Bottle and heat up as required. Serve with a Cinnamon stick.