These Apple Cider Slushies Will Give Your Pumpkin Spice Lattes a Run For Their Money
:extract_cover():upscale()/2020/09/16/932/n/46902964/tmp_goyc3W_cf700d504122f598_IMG_9632.JPG)
One of my most cherished fall memories from college is visiting our local apple orchard with my roommates. After spending the day picking apples and exploring the orchard, we'd always end it with feasting on its homemade apple baked desserts. Since graduation, I rarely get to make the trip back, so I've re-created one of my favorite items off its menu: apple cider slushies!
A cold twist on a fall classic, these slushies aren't too far from off from a traditional hot apple cider recipe (really, the only extra ingredient is ice). When making these, just keep an eye on your slushies, checking every hour to make sure they aren't frozen solid. You should be able to poke a spoon and still have the cider ice crumble. Top with a few splashes of apple cider, whipped cream, and cinnamon.
Since there are so many warm fall-themed beverages out there, why not switch it up with a cool refresher?
Apple Cider Slushies
Adapted Recipe by Emily Weaver
INGREDIENTS
- 6 cups apple cider
- Lemon and orange peels
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- Ice
INSTRUCTIONS
Make hot apple cider. In a large saucepan, pour in apple cider and maple syrup, and give it a light stir.
Place cinnamon sticks and fruit peels in either a stovetop-safe strainer or cheesecloth, and set into the apple cider mixture. Keep over moderate heat for 5-10 minutes, or until cider is very hot. Once at desired temperature, remove from heat and set aside. Let the apple cider cool until room temperature, about 30 minutes.
Pour the cider into six serving glasses, only filling them up 3/4 of the way. Set aside one of the glasses for later, and put the remaining five into the freezer until semifrozen, about two hours.
Using a spoon, dig at the frozen cider to turn it into shaved cider ice. Top with 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider from the saved glass that didn't go in the freezer, and give it a light stir. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon, and enjoy!