A natural, cloudy apple cider is delicious for this exotically spicy and aromatic winter warmer, but if you desire a sparkling-clear drink, apple juice can be substituted. Calvados, which is a French apple brandy, adds richness. If you wish to omit it, just add more cider or juice.

Makes 8 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 5 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 25 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

8 cups apple cider or apple juice
4 whole cloves
4 whole allspice berries
4 whole cardamom seeds
4 cinnamon sticks
1 cup Calvados or brandy

Combine cider or juice, cloves, allspice, cardamom and cinnamon sticks in a large saucepan. Simmer for 20 minutes; strain out spices and stir in Calvados (or brandy). Serve very hot in heavy mugs.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 184 calories; 0 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 30 g carbohydrate; 0 g protein; 0 g fiber; 0 mg sodium; 1 mg potassium.

2 Carbohydrate Servings

Excellent, but I couldn't buy Calvados here on the ridge. I used Laird's APPLEJACK, an American apple brandy that is more generally available, and found it to be outstanding.

Anonymous, Magalia, Ca