Sparkling Summer Solstice Cider

Happy Summer Solstice to all my witchy friends and Wiccan sisters!

To celebrate the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere and the point at which the sun reaches the furthest north of the celestial equator, we decided to brew up a batch of sweetly spiced chilled Sparkling Summer Solstice Cider.

This golden hued and sparkling alcoholic brew tastes like crisp apples, sweet spices, and is refreshing when served ice cold and is perfect for a hot Summer Solstice day or for contemplative sipping in the dancing light of a Midsummer Night’s Fire Ritual.

In addition to being delicious, this entire mixture comes together and is ready to drink in just hours, making it an easy beverage to brew and serve should unexpected company drop by to celebrate Litha this evening!

To make your own fast version of Summer Solstice Cider, you will need:

• 1 Tablespoon ground nutmeg
• 1 Teaspoon cardamom
• 1 Teaspoon cloves (either whole or ground)
• 1 Teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 Vanilla pod, split and scraped.
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 lemon
• 1 orange
• 4 cups apple cider or juice
• 1 bottle of your favorite light or amber beer
• Edible silver glitter

You will also need empty tea bags and some undyed cotton twine to tie them shut with.

Start by preheating your oven to 175F/80C.

Peel your lemon and your orange, tearing the rinds into small chunks.  Place these onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and put into your oven to dry out for about 3-4 hours.

While your rinds are drying out, crush your cinnamon sticks into large chunks.  To do this, place your sticks into your plastic bag, wrap the bag in a towel, and use the hammer to smash up the cinnamon sticks.  You want to break the cinnamon sticks into fairly small chunks, but don’t worry about pulverizing them.

In a bowl, combine your nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon chips, cloves, and allspice.  Stir to combine.  Using a knife, split your vanilla bean and add the seeds to the mix.  Save the pod.

When your lemon and orange rinds are dried out, place them into your food processor and pulse until they’re chopped finely.

Add them to your bowl of dried spices.

Using your tablespoon, measure roughly 2 tablespoons of your mixed spices into your empty tea bags. (Side note, empty tea bags are often sold at bulk grocery stores and health food stores next to the bulk tea section.)

Using a small piece of undyed cotton twine, carefully tie the top of your teabags shut.

Pour your cider/apple juice into your pot and place over medium heat.  Add in 1 teabag of spices and allow to come to just below a simmer.

Cook gently for at least 15-30 minutes.  The goal here is to infuse the cider with the spices, not concentrate the cider, so your goal isn’t to simmer the liquids.  If you see it simmering or steaming, turn down the heat.

Remove your cider from heat and transfer both your liquid and your spice bag to a pitcher and place in your fridge to chill for 2 hours.

To serve your Summer Solstice Cider, crack open your light beer and mix it with your cider mixture at a ratio of 1:2.

Pour 2 cups of spiced cider into your glass and top with 1 cup of light beer and a sprinkle of edible glitter for that magical sparkle.  For a stronger Summer Solstice Cider, drop the ratio to 1:1.

Garnish with a slice of crisp apple, raise your glass, take a drink of this slightly sweet, incredibly refreshing beverage, and enjoy this magical special night.

And because it’s just so beautiful, here’s a quick shot of the way it sparkles in the light with the edible glitter added.  It’s positively…bewitching!

Bone Appetite!