Applejack-Spiked Hot Cider

Ingredients

• 6 cups apple cider 
• 10  peppercorns black
• 0.8 cup applejack brandy 
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 2 sticks cinnamon (3-inch)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar dark
• 1 tablespoon honey 
• 2 strips lemon rind (2-inch)
• 2 strips orange rind (2-inch)
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 8  allspice whole

Equipment

• sauce pan

Directions

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sugar and next 4 ingredients (through cinnamon sticks); cook 1 minute.
2. Add cider and next 4 ingredients (through lemon rind); bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 15 minutes.
3. Remove from heat; stir in applejack. Strain; discard solids.