Twelve days of Christmas: Day twelve - mulled cider recipe

It’s Christmas Eve Eve, which might mean last-minute shopping, sellotape and wrapping paper runs, or maybe you’re feeling pretty smug knowing you’re all set for the 25th. Whatever you’re up to, we strongly suggest trying our easy, delicious mulled cider recipe to warm the cockles as we wrap up our twelve days of Christmas. Our Founders, Nick and Jack invited us round to show us how it’s done.

Ingredients(serves about 6)

•  1-litre of Cider (the drier the better)

•  2 Oranges (one halved, one for decoration)

•  5 Star anise

•  3 Cinnamon sticks

•  3 Lemon and Ginger tea bags

•  Brandy or Rum

To serve - per glass

• Kilner glass jar or whatever you have in the cupboard that’s heatproof

• Large pot or pan 

• 1 Cinnamon stick

• 2 Star anise

• 1 slice Orange

Instructions

1. Pour all of the cider into a large saucepan or pot.

2. Cut the orange in half and add to the pot, along with the star anise, cinnamon sticks and tea bags. 

3. Give it a good stir and pop the lid on your pot, leaving the mixture to stew for about three hours, stirring occasionally. 

4. Strain the cider through a sieve to remove any unwanted bits (or just scoop them out).

5. Stir in the brandy or rum (or both, because it’s Christmas).

6. Pour or ladle a healthy serving into your heatproof glasses or mugs.

7. Add the cinnamon stick, a large slice of orange, and two star anise to each glass.

8. Sit back and enjoy!