We’re imagining sitting by the fire with a good book on one of the dark winter nights to come, a cup of mulled apple cider warming our hands. This version, by our friend Liz at Octofree®, includes Soergels Orchards famous apple cider, whole spices like cinnamon sticks and star anise pods, and sliced winter citrus, finished off with Maggie’s Farm Rum and some vegan, soy-free whipped cream for an allergen friendly treat that’s sure to warm you to the core.

 

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Total time: 25 minutes

Servings: Approximately 6

 

EQUIPMENT

Large saucepan

Sieve

Large glass heat-safe bowl

Ladle

Heat-safe glasses, such as high ball glasses

 

INGREDIENTS

6 cups apple cider (check ingredients for your allergens)

1 cinnamon stick

1 whole star anise

1 lemon, sliced into rounds

1 orange, sliced into rounds

1 cup (about 4 shots) dark rum (check ingredients for your allergens)

For garnish:

Vegan, soy-free whipped cream (I like So Delicious CocoWhip)

Cinnamon sticks

Whole star anise

Orange slices

 

INSTRUCTIONS

Place the cider, cinnamon stick, star anise and lemon and orange slices into a large saucepan and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer for about 20 minutes to allow flavors to combine.

Carefully pour the liquid through a mesh strainer into a large, glass heat-safe bowl.

Add the rum to the bowl and stir to combine.

Ladle rum into heat-safe glasses, such as high ball glasses.

Garnish each glass with a slice of orange, dollop of vegan-soy-free whipped cream, star anise and cinnamon stick.

Food Styling Anna Calabrese/ ⁠Photography by Dave Bryce/ Follow Octofree®