This easy recipe for Sparkling Spiced Cider is perfect for Thanksgiving. Made with cinnamon sticks, star anise, clove, fresh apples, and oranges will warm you right up! Put this simple and fragrant cider on the burner for family or friends to enjoy while visiting. It’s easy and delicious, and especially lovely when you use fresh sprigs of thyme to top it off.

During the first couple of hundred Thanksgivings, cider was the drink of choice. It was consumed more than any other beverage in North America. Cider was the drink of the farmers, homesteaders, and pioneers. Almost every small farm had apple trees, and nearly every small town had a cider press. Cider drinking became the drink of choice at festive events and special occasions. That’s why it seems so fitting to enjoy this sparkling spiced cider on Thanksgiving.

 

Serves 10

Total Time: 25 minutes

Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

1-gallon apple cider

1 1/2 cups pear juice

1 (750ml) bottle prosecco or sparkling pear juice

4 oranges, sliced, divided

6 cinnamon sticks

6 cloves

2 star anise

2 Honeycrisp apples, cored and sliced

A few sprigs of fresh thyme

 

Directions

1. In a 6-quart stockpot, bring apple cider, pear juice, half of the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise to just under a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and carefully strain into a large serving vessel, top with prosecco or sparkling pear juice. Serve warm, garnish with remaining orange slices, apple slices, and fresh thyme sprigs.

That’s it.  Simple, easy, and wonderfully delicious. Enjoy.