Apple Cider Rum Punch

We add one more amazing drink to our Christmas special – The Rum Cider Punch! The best part is that you can serve this hot or cold as you like according to the weather or the guest choice.  I had not made this ever unless Nigella Lawson inspired me on one of her X-mas shows. This looked really easy so I had to try and I was surely satisfied with the outcome.  To make the non alcoholic version, you can add black tea to the punch instead of rum and have a classic Christmas version of ice tea (or hot tea)!

Ingredients

1 liter          apple juice or cider

1/2 cup      brown sugar firmly packed

15-16          whole cloves

10-12          star anise

8-9              large cinnamon sticks

2                 whole nutmegs, cracked

1 to 2 cups golden rum

1                 Keenu/Clementine

1                 Apple/ sliced in circles

1 cup black tea (dip a tea bag in hot cup of water for 2 mins)

Lemon peel and/or other garnish of your choice

Directions

• In a large saucepan, combine apple juice or cider, brown sugar, whole cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and nutmegs.
• Add the pulp of Keenu and the peel too. Add tea.
• Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat, cool, then refrigerate several hours.

To serve:

• Strain into punch bowl. Stir in 1 to 2 cups golden rum, according to taste.
• Garnish with thin strips of lemon peel. Add back the slices of apple if you like.
• This can be reheated after straining and you can also add more golden/black rum if you like.