Apple cider

It's that time of year again....and I am down to 2 packets of instant hot apple cider and in the mood for a little experimentation (all in the interests of knowledge and fresh cider supply, of course).  If I took regular apple juice and stuck it in the crock pot with some mulling spices, would I come up with a close approximation of hot apple cider? Anyone who has tried this or has any input, let me know.  I'm thinking of giving it a getting the supplies and giving it a go on Sunday.   

It's that time of year again....and I am down to 2 packets of instant hot apple cider and in the mood for a little experimentation (all in the interests of knowledge and fresh cider supply, of course).  If I took regular apple juice and stuck it in the crock pot with some mulling spices, would I come up with a close approximation of hot apple cider? Anyone who has tried this or has any input, let me know.  I'm thinking of giving it a getting the supplies and giving it a go on Sunday.   

If you try it please post your results! I was craving apple cider (the real fresh stuff) this week...

Speaking of apple cider. Has anyone ever seen American style non-alcoholic apple cider here in the UK? You know the kind I'm talking about ..the cheap stuff you can get at any supermarket this time of year? For Halloween my mom would always give us apple cider and glazed doughnuts. I'm not sure why that combination but I would love for my kids to try it.

Speaking of apple cider. Has anyone ever seen American style non-alcoholic apple cider here in the UK? You know the kind I'm talking about ..the cheap stuff you can get at any supermarket this time of year? For Halloween my mom would always give us apple cider and glazed doughnuts. I'm not sure why that combination but I would love for my kids to try it.

The closest thing you'll find in a UK supermarket is the Copella brand apple juice. Barring that, your best bet is a farm shop. The ONLY time I have ever seen anything here remotely close was at an actual farm and it was only for 'Apple Day'.

The closest thing you'll find in a UK supermarket is the Copella brand apple juice. Barring that, your best bet is a farm shop. The ONLY time I have ever seen anything here remotely close was at an actual farm and it was only for 'Apple Day'.

I haven't ever heard of Copella. Can I get it at any supermarket? Is it in the cold section?

I haven't given much of a look, but the other day I got a pressed Cox apple juice from M&S that was somewhat cider-like.

I miss my fall cider binge. And cider doughnuts.

Pressed apple juice or cloudy apple juice is about the closest you're going to get at a supermarket. But I think I'd prefer either of those to instant!! I've never heard of instant! As balmerhon said, a farm shop is your other option. I know there's an old thread (at least one!) about American style cider somewhere here. I'll see if I can dig it up.

Here you go:

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=29180.0

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=27873.15

 

Thanks chary and yes you can mull pressed apple juice.  Cornish Orchards do a lovely mulled apple juice that is oh so very very lovely and they deliver.  Much better than those boxed ciders. 

http://www.cornishorchards.co.uk/products.php?cID=5

Thanks for that link! Delivery is a good thing! 

And they do a pre-mulled cider as well. I wonder if it's any good?

I had some lovely cloudy apple juice from some Cornish orchard, but I can't remember which one it was. They had a stall at the Truro Food Festival a year or so ago. The bottles were numbered (like wine) from dry to sweet, so you could choose what you wanted. Fabulous stuff.

I suppose you could make this then refrigerate it? (sub apple juice for cider)
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,193,154162-237204,00.html

or

http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,163,148191-246194,00.html

I got some cloudy chilled apple juice at Sainsbury's, and will try crockpotting it tomorrow with some mulling spices and will report back with results.   

  If I took regular apple juice and stuck it in the crock pot with some mulling spices, would I come up with a close approximation of hot apple cider?

You know I do this all the time (and I'm in the US still) because I live in Florida  and I cannot find real cider anywhere (grew up in New England, so I miss it)- I heat up cloudy/natural apple juice, or if I can't find that, I'll use regular apple juice and add cinnamon sticks, gloves, etc, strain and drink.  If I'm lucky enough to have mulling spice from New England, I'll use that. Tastes great!
Sometimes will add a little whiskey when I'm in the mood for something a little bit more grown up 

If I'm lucky enough to have mulling spice from New England, I'll use that. Tastes great!
Sometimes will add a little whiskey when I'm in the mood for something a little bit more grown up!

I like the idea of the whisky!

I have bought mulling spices here ... but, of course, I can't remember where. You might try Googling and see what you come up with.

If that fails, it's not too hard to make your own mulling spice - and the spices will be much fresher and more flavourful.

Oh that's easy for mulling spices!
Thanks