With autumn in the air and the nights becoming darker and cooler earlier...there is nothing like the taste of Hot Mulled Apple Cider to help take the edge off of those changing nights. It is the perfect drink for autumn parties and to serve to the children for Halloween. The only thing that might be better is one with a little parental warning on it! Enjoy!

Hot Mulled Apple Cider 1 qt Apple Cider (fresh) 1 Orange (sliced) 2 Cinnamon Sticks 2 Tbsp Honey 1/4 cup Sugar 1/4 tsp Nutmeg (grated) 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract (pure) Combine all ingredients except the vanilla in a 4-quart saucepan. Stir occasionally while heating over a medium flame. Simmer for 30 minutes then strain into a different container. Stir in the vanilla and your ready to serve. Cider Martini 2 ounces Cinnamon Vodka 2 ounces Mulled Apple Cider 4 ounces Ice Splash Apple Brandy In shaker combine vodka, apple cider and ice. Shake and strain into a chilled Martini glass. Top with apple brandy. Garnish with an apple slice. Autumn Punch 3 quarts Mulled Apple Cider 3 cups Pineapple Juice 1 can Orange Juice (frozen) 2 Cinnamon Sticks 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract (pure) 1 Ginger Ale (2 liter) 1 cup Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum (optional) Combine all ingredients except the vanilla and ginger ale (rum optional) in a 4-quart saucepan. Stir occasionally while heating over a medium flame. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick, stir in vanilla extract, ginger ale and (rum, optional). Serve in glass coffee mug or punch glass. DHL’s “Just what the Captain ordered” 4 ounces Mulled Apple Cider (hot) 1 ounce Captain Morgan’s Spiced Run 1/2 ounce Coconut Run (Malibu) 1/2 ounce Sour Apple Pucker This recipe is for one serving. Wet the rim of a glass coffee mug in water then coat the rim by dipping it into a sugar and cinnamon mixture. Pour the ingredients into the glass and be ready to make more!

South of the Border Cider 4 cups Mulled Apple Cider 1 cup Cranberry Juice 1/2 cup Tequila (your favorite) 1/2 cup Cointreau- or Triple Sec 1 Lime (sliced) 1 Lemon (sliced) Combine all ingredients except for the Tequila and Cointreau in a 4-quart saucepan. Stir occasionally while heating over a medium flame. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the lemon and lime then add the alcohol just before service. Serve in a glass coffee mug. Mint Cider Punch 1/4 cup Mint (fresh and chopped) 6 cups Mulled Apple Cider 1 cup Lemonade Concentrate (frozen) 1/2 cup Lemon Vodka 1/2 cup Green Apple Vodka Place mint and mulled apple cider in a saucepot. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool and strain the mixture. Add lemonade and refrigerate until cold. For service, add vodkas and serve cold. Raspberry Apple Cider (Spiked) 8 cups Apple Cider 1 cup Raspberry (frozen juice concentrate) 1/4 cup Sugar 2 Cinnamon Sticks 2 Tbsp Honey 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract 1/2 cup Chambord 1/2 cup Rum (light) Combine all ingredients except for the Chambord and Rum in a 4-quart saucepan. Stir occasionally while heating over a medium flame. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks, then add the alcohol just before service. Serve in a glass coffee mug.