Heart Warming Cider

It's November! The official in-between time of Autumn/Fall with Thanksgiving upon us and the oncoming of Christmas only weeks away. Usually, my home becomes more and more cozy as the season transitions from Summer into Fall into Winter. Like a bear preparing their cave for the long winter, I like to make our living space as cozy as possible with candles, yummy foods, blankets and all the pillows.

This year, living in Southern California, the transition is so different. No freezing temperatures, no anticipation of frost or snow each morning when I wake up, no chance of wearing mittens or shoveling out my car after a full day at work. This Winter is already so much different from any other I've ever lived. I do love the never ending sunshine of California and the incredible blue skies all year long, it's just different and this midwest girl feels a tad homesick for the Minnesota winter seasons.

Today I'm sharing a recipe for nostalgic hot apple cider that is sure to give you all the Autumn vibes and make you want to curl up on the couch and sip late into the night while wearing your coziest sweater.

I like to prepare my cider in a crock pot so that I can keep it warm for hours and sip mug after mug. ;) It's also super convenient for parties because it stays hot all night in the crock pot.

You'll need:

- Apple juice

- An Orange

- Cinnamon sticks

- Cinnamon

- Cloves

- Apples to garnish

Pour the apple juice into the crockpot and slice the orange into wheels, slice apples into rounds, combine orange slices, 2 cinnamon sticks and 1 Teaspoon of whole cloves into apple juice and let sit on low for 30 minutes. Pour yourself a mug and sprinkle with cinnamon!

I seriously get thrown back to when I would order a hot apple blast from one of my favorite coffee shops back home! The nostalgia is so strong with this amazing drink. I love it and I hope you do too!

Enjoy the crunching leaves under your feet and the beautiful Fall season, friends!

xoxo

-Erin Monseth