cran-apple cider

Seeing as it's the first day on our countdown I thought we should take it slow.  Not everyone has a cup full of holiday cheer quite yet.  Hopefully this recipe might change that!

I came up with it last week while fooling around in my kitchen and trying to remember where I left my Christmas spirit.  It's beyond simple to make, tastes amazing and is a great start or finish to any day.  Hot drinks seem to be the perfect cure to our rainy Vancouver weather.  I made myself a mug of this cider after coming home from a wet day at work and it chased away all the dampness (as any Pacific North Westerner can tell you, that's quite a feat).

Here's to kicking off the holiday season!

ingredients:

• 16 oz (2 cups) 100% pure, no sugar added apple juice 
• 1/2 cup fresh whole cranberries
• 1 whole cinnamon stick (you can find these cheaper in most bulk food sections or farmers markets)

Put a saucepan on your stove over low heat.  Add in your apple juice, cranberries (don't forget to wash them) & cinnamon stick.  Leave it to barely simmer for about 20-30 minutes.  Remember you want to warm the juice, not boil it.  You might hear a "pop", don't worry it's just one of the cranberries exploding, that's okay.  It just means an extra flavour burst.

When you're ready to serve it you can either pour it into a mug bits & all, or you might choose to strain it.  I like mine strained (mostly so I don't accidentally swallow a cranberry), so I just hold a fine metal sieve strainer over top of my mug & slowly pour the juice into it.  Be careful because it's going to be hot, and if you spill it on yourself it will be sticky, not a great combo. 

Pretty much all that's left is to sip & enjoy!

Serves 1 to 2 depending on the size of your mugs.

If you're making it to share, double the cranberries & apple juice but not the cinnamon.