Adapted from Country Living
Hosting your first fall gathering? Dazzle your guests with a zestier take on apple cider! Sweet and spicy tea adds just the right “punch” to this common autumn must-have. To showcase fall’s favorite fruit, Chef James Boyce livens up fresh apple cider with star anise and other juices. Cold-infusing the tea into the punch takes time, but it’s worth the wait!
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 8 hours
Serves 16
Ingredients
- 1/2 gallon apple cider, chilled
- 1 quart white grape juice, chilled
- 8 ounces orange juice
- 6 tablespoons spiced apple tea (such as Adagio Spiced Apple Chai or Tea Forte Harvest Apple Spice)
- 8 whole star anise pods
- 3 large Golden Delicious apples, sliced crosswise
- 1 bottle (750-ml) sparkling apple cider, chilled
- Ice
- 16 ounces dark rum (optional)
Method
- In a punch bowl or large pitcher, combine apple cider, grape juice, and orange juice.
- Place the tea in 1 or 2 of your favorite infusers, or wrap it inside a layer of cheesecloth along with the star anise pods. Place the tea infusers into the cider mixture along with slices from 2 apples. Refrigerate at least 6 hours, or overnight.
- Before serving, remove the tea infusers and apple slices. Stir 1 bottle of sparkling cider into the tea mixture.
To serve, fill tumblers with ice. Add 1 ounce rum to each glass, if desired, and top with punch. Garnish each with 1 apple slice.
