Hot Spiced Cider

Spiced cider always triggers memories of fall and winter for me. It's such a perfect way to keep warm when it's so cold outside! For our 2009 holiday dinner, our aperitif was hot spiced cider with spiced rum to warm our guests up as they came in from the cold, and then keep them warm as they sipped their drinks! This recipe (which we found through cooks.com) was so easy, it could be enjoyed all winter long! In fact, maybe I can make up a pot while I'm posting this..... ;-)

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Hot Spiced Cider
Ingredients:
6 c. apple cider
3 tbsp. honey or light brown sugar
16 whole cloves
8 lemon slices
8 cinnamon sticks
3/4-1 c. light rum, to taste (optional)

Mix cider and honey in medium saucepan. Place 2 cloves in the rind of each lemon slice. Add lemon slices, cinnamon sticks and rum to cider. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks and lemon.