Christmas Cider

Ingredients

• To keep the cider from looking cloudy, be sure to purchase chai tea bags that do not contain milk solids.

• SERVINGS: 16 (6-ounce) servings

• CARB GRAMS PER SERVING: 17

• 3 cups water

• 4 black chai tea bags

• 8 cups apple cider or apple juice (64 ounces)

• 2 cups low-calorie cranberry juice

• 1/2 cup orange juice

• 4 3-inch-long sticks cinnamon

• 3 whole cloves

• Cinnamon sticks and/or fresh cranberries (optional)

Directions

1. cups water

2. black chai tea bags

3. cups apple cider or apple juice (64 ounces)

4. cups low-calorie cranberry juice

5. 1/2 cup orange juice

6. 3-inch-long sticks cinnamon

7. whole cloves

8. Cinnamon sticks and/or fresh cranberries (optional)

9. In a medium saucepan, bring the water to boiling. Remove from heat. Add tea bags. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags.

10. In a 6- to 8-quart Dutch oven, combine apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice, the 4 cinnamon sticks, the cloves, and the steeped tea. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Discard cinnamon sticks and cloves. Serve warm. If desired, garnish with additional cinnamon sticks and/or cranberries. Makes 16 (6-ounce) servings.

11. Make-Ahead Directions: Prepare cider as directed; cool. Transfer to an airtight container; cover. Chill for up to 3 days. Serve chilled, or transfer to a large Dutch oven and heat through.