Crock Pot Mulled Cider

Today was such a lovely day!  The temperature was cool and so much like fall that the kids and I piled into the car and hit the local apple orchard for some cider.  Then we came home to MULL IT while we worked in the yard all day (thanks for everything, Mother-in-Law!).  At the end of a busy fall day, I had hot cider on my pretty little front porch.  Perfect.

Crock Pot Mulled Cider

2 quarts apple cider (our orchard has the BEST)

4 tbs. pure maple syrup (more or less, to taste)

2 cinnamon sticks

1 tsp. whole cloves

1 tsp. whole allspice

2-3 inch peeling of lemon rind

Pour all ingredients into a small crock pot:

Heat on high for two hours, or on low for four to five hours.

You can put all the spices in cheesecloth and tie it for easy removal, or use a tea ball for the allspice and cloves. 

Or you can throw it all in because you have landscaping to do, and you don't have time to hunt down the tea ball.

Then just fish it out later with a slotted spoon.

Serve!

The only thing missing is a campfire...and s'mores. 

Okay, two things.