National Hot Toddy Day: Hot Buttered Apple Cider

It's a breezy 28 degrees outside.  No wonder it's National Hot Toddy Day.  Everyday should be National Hot Toddy Day until Spring gets here.  In my quest to finish off that never-ending gallon of apple cider in my fridge, I decided some kind of  apple cider toddy would be just the thing to warm up with this afternoon.

The Hot Buttered Apple Cider Line-Up

Combine apple cider and maple syrup
in a saucepan on the stovetop until warm.

Add 1 teaspoon ground allspice to the softened butter.

I used freshly grated nutmeg. 
(It makes me feel fancy, but you can use
whatever you have on hand.)



Combine softened butter with allspice and nutmeg.



Add a teaspoon of spiced butter to each mug.

Garnish with a cinnamon stick
and warm your cold bones.

To hooch or not to hooch? 
That's up to you!  But it never hurts
to celebrate an important holiday like
National Hot Toddy Day...

Hot Buttered Apple Cider
16 ounces apple cider
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
brandy or other liqueur, optional
cinnamon sticks for garnish, optional

In a saucepan, combine apple cider and maple syrup over medium heat until hot.
Soften butter in the microwave and add allspice and nutmeg.  Pour cider into mugs and top each with a teaspoon of spiced butter mixture.  Garnish with a cinnamon stick stirrer.  Add liqueur if desired.

Prep Time:  Approximately 10 minutes      Cook Time:  Approximately 5 minutes