Spiced Hard Cider Punch

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup brandy 
• 1 stick cinnamon 
• 1 quart cider hard
• 0.3 cup ginger fresh finely chopped
• 0.3 cup granulated sugar 
• 0.3 teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated
• 8 slices delicious apple red
• 1 cup water hot
• 0.5 cup applejack 
• 0.5 cup applejack 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• sauce pan
• sieve

Directions

1. Place the hot water in a small stainless steel saucepan and add the sugar, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg to the pan. Bring to a boil, place a lid over the saucepan and reduce to a simmer. Continue to simmer until the flavors have married, about 20 minutes.
2. Remove from the heat, strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a non-reactive bowl and allow to cool. Once cool, add the cider, applejack and brandy to the bowl. Stir to mix well and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, and up to 5 days.
3. Serve in a small punch bowl with an ice mold, if desired, and garnish each glass with an apple slice.
4. Place the hot water in a small stainless steel saucepan and add the sugar, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg to the pan. Bring to a boil, place a lid over the saucepan and reduce to a simmer. Continue to simmer until the flavors have married, about 20 minutes.
5. Remove from the heat, strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a non-reactive bowl and allow to cool. Once cool, add the cider, applejack and brandy to the bowl. Stir to mix well and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, and up to 5 days.
6. Serve in a small punch bowl with an ice mold, if desired, and garnish each glass with an apple slice.