Warm Up with Spiced Hot Cider

Brrr...it's cold outside. Time to make some spiced cider. Invite some friends over to watch the game and have some fun.

1/2 gallon apple cider
1/2 c packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cinnamon stick
6 whole cloves
1/2 c applejack or bourbon

Combine all ingredients except the applejack/bourbon in a crock pot and simmer. Add the applejack when you pour cider into mugs.
Here's another version. Sparkling Spiced Cider Makes 4 servings

Ingredients **1 shot equals 1.5 ounces (35 ml)** 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar 1/2 cup (125 ml) orange juice 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 4 shots (6 ounces, or 188 ml) chilled vodka (omit for kid-friendly version) 16 shots (24 ounces, or 700 ml) chilled sparkling cider Combine the sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves in a small saucepan set over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is the consistency of syrup. Strain through a fine mesh sieve. Allow to cool completely. Use the syrup to rim 4 glasses, then dip the glasses into a sugar mixture (sanding sugar or cinnamon-sugar). Add 1 shot of the syrup to each glass. Stir in 1 shot of vodka, then add 4 shots of sparkling cider per glass. Stir gently and serve. For a stronger drink, increase the vodka to 2 shots per glass, and reduce the cider to 3 shots.
The smell will greet all guests and make your home cozy. Or just simply enjoy this beverage during a day playing in the snow!