Shakin & Bakin Foodie Blog

As the summer heat turns cool and crisp, many enjoy welcoming colder temperatures with toasty beverages to chase away the chill. Nielsen Massey Vanilla's Pure Orange Extract adds a zesty twist to classic hot beverage recipes. Pure Orange Extract’s bright citrus flavor lightly balances the luxurious depth of chocolate and softly complements other citrus flavors like lemon. This recipe will make 6 servings.

Orange Mulled Whiskey Cider Recipe

2 quarts apple cider
1/2 cup 100% pure pomegranate juice
1/3 cup 100% pure maple syrup (adjust maple syrup if cider is already sweet)
1 Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean
1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Orange Extract
3 large cinnamon sticks
12 whole cloves
5 whole allspice berries
1/4 teaspoon cardamom seeds
.66 cup whiskey

Add apple cider, pomegranate juice and maple syrup to a large saucepan; heat over medium-high heat. Split vanilla bean in half lengthwise with the tip of a small knife. Scrape both sides of the bean with the knife’s dull side and add the seeds and bean to the saucepan.

Add the orange extract, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries and cardamom seeds to the saucepan; stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 30 minutes.

Strain mulled cider through a fine mesh sieve. Add whiskey; stir to combine. Serve with a fresh apple slice.