Spiced Hard Cider Punch

Ingredients

• 1 cup hot water
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh ginger
• 7 whole cloves
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 quart hard cider
• 1/2 cup applejack
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 8 slices Gala, Braeburn, or Red Delicious apple

Directions

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. 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. Serve in a small punch bowl with an ice mold, if desired, and garnish each glass with an apple slice.