Easy Hot Buttered Apple Cider

From Autumn Gatherings by Rick Rodgers. Take classic hot cider and kick up the spice for a yummy mugful that'll warm you up from the inside out!  Rick Rodgers is one of my favorite cookbook authors, and any recipe of his is a guaranteed winner!

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 6  quarter-sized slices peeled fresh ginger
• 6  star anise
•  four cinnamon stick (3-inch-long, plus more for garnish)
• 1  teaspoon whole cloves
• 1  teaspoon fennel seed
• 1  teaspoon szechuan peppercorns
• 1  quart  fresh apple cider
•  calvados (optional) or   Applejack (optional)
• 8  tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons

Directions

1. Rinse out and squeeze out 12-inch square of cheesecloth. Wrap ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, and Sichuan peppercorns in cheesecloth. Using piece of kitchen twine, tie into packet.
2. Pour cider into large nonreactive saucepan and add spice bundle. Bring to simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
3. Ladle cider into warmed mugs. Add dry cinnamon stick to each mug and spike with Calvados or Applejack, if desired. Top each with pat of butter. Serve hot.