Recipe: Crock Pot Hot Buttered Rum Cider (no sugar added)

CROCK POT HOT BUTTERED RUM CIDER

1/2 to 1 gallon apple cider
Brown sugar (optional)*
3 tbsp. butter
8 whole cinnamon sticks (or ground cinnamon, to taste)
Touch of ground nutmeg
2 large lemons, divided use
Whole cloves
Spiced rum
Lemon twists and/or cinnamon sticks (to garnish)

Pour apple cider into crock pot. Add brown sugar, if using, butter, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg and 1 lemon (cut in half, seeds removed) into crock pot.

Cover crock pot and let simmer on LOW for 5 hours, until steaming.

Cut second lemon into wheels and place 5 to 6 cloves into each wheel. Place in cider mixture and take out old lemon halves.

Cover crock pot and simmer for 30 minutes.

Serve with spiced rum to taste per cup (be careful not to ladle cloves into cups). Garnish each serving with a lemon twist or cinnamon stick.

*If a sweeter drink is desired, add brown sugar, to taste.

Source: Diane Geary, 1997
Adapted from: linda/tennessee - 01-11-98