Cider Recipes

Hot Apple Blast - MacKenna Charleson
Brining and BBQing with Cider - Doug Essinger-Hileman
Hot Apple Pie - Bob Saldeen
Farmer's Bishop - Alice Gomez

Hot Apple Blast - MacKenna Charleson
During the Hornblower series, every Sunday night I would have what Caribou Coffee calls a "Hot Apple Blast" ... though I added a touch of rum to it, making it at home.
Two cups hot apple cider
Caramel sauce
Whipped cream
Cinnamon stick
1 jigger rum
I simply heat the cider, drizzle in some caramel to taste, add rum and whipped cream at the top, drizzle more caramel, plunk in the cinnamon stick.
The tartness of the cider saves a Blast from being too terribly sweet, which is probably why I like it (too-sweet hot cocoa drinks of a similar nature make me feel queasy). The tartness of the cider kind of tempers the caramel. As for complicated ... well, I'll admit it's a bit tricky to make quickly during a commercial break of a two-hour Hornblower episode. I have been known to ...er .... splatter, spill, and over-spew whipped cream upon occasion.
It sips like debauched apple pie.

Brining and BBQing with Cider - Doug Essinger-Hileman
Especially in the fall, I tend to use an apple "theme" when BBQing. Into the brine I put some tart apples, cinnamon, nutmeg or mace, cloves and allspice. While grilling, I spray the fowl with a spritz of apple cider, vinegar, bourbon and salt. At the end, I mop on a sauce made on a ketchup and apple cider base.
During the grilling, I add applewood chips whenever possible. When Tom was in high school, he worked for a guy who owned a private, 600-tree apple orchard. This kept us in applewood for a number of years. Alas and alack, our supply has run out. But the taste imparted is such that I will seek to replenish my supply.

Hot Apple Pie - Bob Saldeen
Hot cider + cinnamon schnaps = "hot apple pie" a wonderfully warming holiday drink...and tastes like a you-know-what.

Farmer's Bishop - Alice Gomez
1 gallon apple cider (apple juice isn't quite as good)
3 bottles apple brandy (such as Laird of Hildick)
6 - 8 oranges, stuck with cloves
Dash of cinnamon
Heat opened jugs of cider and apple brandy in hot water on stove. Bake oranges in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes until they ooze. Place oranges in a metal punch bowl (a kitchen pot can do). Pour hot apple brandy over oranges and light with a match. It will burn with a blue flame. Turn your lights low and your guests will ooh! Don't let it burn long, it's the alcohol burning off. Douse the flame after a few minutes with the hot apple cider. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Makes 50 drinks.