Ginger Spiced Pear Cider Recipe for a fall treat

Ginger spiced pear cider is delicious hot or cold and makes a great party drink.  We like to spike out cider with bourbon.  If you want to make gifts out or the ginger spice bundles you can package them up and give them with the ingredients or with a bottle of bourbon. If you would like to make the gift packaging shown in the image above click on Crafty Christmas Containers and learn how to make creative gift packaging.

Gingered Spice Bundles in a Jar

Ingredients

• 1 package 100% cotton cheesecloth
• 6 (12 inch) lengths poultry twine or food-safe string
• 12 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 3 ounces crystallized ginger, diced into 3/8- to1/2-inch pieces (about 2/3 cup)
• 1/4 cup fennel seeds
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 60 whole cloves
• 6 star anise

Instructions to make Ginger Spiced Pear Cider

1. Cut 6 pieces of cheesecloth into 8 inches long (double thickness) pieces. Lay pieces out on flat surface. Break 2 cinnamon sticks into pieces 1-inch or smaller for each bundle. Add ingredients in the following amounts to each bundle: 1 1/2 tablespoons diced ginger, 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 star anise and 10 cloves.
2. Bring corners of bundles together, tucking in loose edges. Tie each bundle with twine. Layer spice bundles in 1-pint wide-mouth jar or container. Seal jar.
3. Decorate jar and attach the following instructions on a gift tag.

Ginger Spiced Pear Cider

Makes about 1 gallon.

• 4 cups (32 ounces) pear nectar
• 3 cups (24 ounces) apple cider
• 1 Gingered Spice Bundle

Place pear nectar and apple cider in 3-quart saucepan. Bring mixture to boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. When mixture boils, add spice mix bundle. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes to infuse the spice flavors. Remove bundle and serve immediately. Refrigerate any leftovers. Serve hot or chilled.

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