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Christmas Cheer

Christmas Cheer is a warmly spiced apple cider brightened with cranberry and kissed with bourbon. Notes of cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom, and star anise create a festive aroma, while orange peel adds citrusy lift. Serve it piping hot at holiday gatherings or a cozy winter evening by the fire.

  • Prep10 mins
  • Cook25 mins
  • Serves10
  • DifficultyEasy
Christmas Cheer
  1. 1

    Assemble all the ingredients.

  2. 2

    Bundle the cloves, cardamom pods, allspice berries, and star anise in a cheesecloth sachet and tie it closed.

  3. 3

    Combine the apple cider, cranberry juice, and brown sugar in a pot and bring to a simmer. Add the cinnamon sticks, ginger, and the spice sachet to the cider mixture and let it steep for 20 minutes.

  4. 4

    Pour 1 fluid ounce bourbon into each mug and fill the rest with the spiced cider.

  5. 5

    Rub the rim of each mug with the orange peel and drop it into the drink.