"Grateful Belly" Mulled Cider with Maple Bitters

Maple bitters are an excellent complement for apple cider. The cinnamon and cloves in this recipe aid digestion, and ginger is good for the belly. Orange slices give it delicious zest.

Makes 6 cups.

INGREDIENTS:

    10 cloves 

      4 cinnamon sticks

      2 thick orange slices

      2 tablespoons grated ginger root

      1 quart certified organic apple cider

      6 tablespoons maple-flavored bitters 

         (1 tablespoon per cup)

Pour cider into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Stir in cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, and orange slices. Let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add bitters toward the end or put 1 tablespoon into each cup before ladling in the mulled cider. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

NOTE: Mulled cider is not the same as bottled apple juice, which has been pasteurized. You can buy local apple cider during harvest season or pick up a bag of organic apples and juice them for fresh energy and flavor.

Recipe courtesy of Organic Spa Magazine