Spiced Cranberry Pear Cider

I have a really, really good cider recipe for you.

On Thanksgiving my brother whipped together a version of pear cider he found in Vegetarian Times and the second I tried it, I knew I needed to share it here on the blog. We sipped this tasty little concoction as we prepped our Thanksgiving meal and everything about it was spot on, from the hint of ginger to the tartness of the cranberries. This drink is the perfect addition to any holiday spread and would without a doubt be a hit with your family and friends. I envision sitting around with loved ones on Christmas morning, sipping this cider and tearing into presents. How great does that sound?!

I recreated this recipe the weekend after Thanksgiving and it was incredibly easy.

Spiced Cranberry Pear Cider
adapted from Vegetarian Times

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries
• 4 slices of fresh ginger, peeled, around 1/4 inch thick each
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cups of pear juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1 large pear, peeled and cut into small cubes

Juice, cranberries, pear, ginger

Directions

1. Combine cranberries, ginger, cinnamon stick, and 3 1/2 cups water. Bring to a simmer for 10 minutes.
2. After 10 minutes, remove ginger and cinnamon stick and set aside. Over a different saucepan, pour the cranberries into a colander and strain. Make sure you press the cranberries to get the maximum amount of juice.
3. Now, return the ginger and cinnamon stick to cranberry juice and add the pear juice, sugar, and vanilla. 
4. Simmer for about 10 minutes then remove ginger and cinnamon stick, add diced pear.
5. Give it a quick stir and serve warm!

Cranberries simmering in water with ginger and cinnamon

Straining and pressing the cranberries

Simmering away...

Addition of the pear

Drink up and enjoy!

I hope you and yours enjoy this as much as we did! Have a wonderful and relaxing Wednesday evening!