Classic Hanukkah: Hot apple cider with butterscotch syrup

For this year’s holiday parties, serve a rich, delicious cider with hints of spice and vanilla.

This festive hot apple cider is the perfect beverage for a holiday punch bowl. For large gatherings, keep the cider warm in a slow cooker and let your guests stir in their own syrup.

Hot apple cider with butterscotch syrup

Recipe adapted from Atco Blue Flame Kitchen

Makes enough syrup for about 24 servings

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Apple cider
• Lemon wedges, optional

Directions:

1. To make butterscotch syrup, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sugar, brown sugar, heavy cream and molasses. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Stir in cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla. Reserve.
2. In a saucepan, bring apple cider to a boil. Remove from heat.
3. To serve, pour about 8 ounces of hot apple cider into a mug, and then stir in 1 tablespoon of butterscotch syrup.
4. Squeeze lemon into mug, if desired.

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