NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO STOCK UP ON APPLE CIDER FOR THE FREEZER.   FROZEN CIDER TASTES EXACTLY THE SAME AS FRESH.   TO FREEZE, JUST EMPTY ABOUT ONE CUP OUT OF THE JUG TO ALLOW FOR EXPANSION AND THEN PUT THE JUG IN THE FREEZER.  IT'S A GREAT WAY TO ENJOY HONEY HILL CIDER THIS WINTER AND FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

AN APPLE A DAY NEVER MEANT THAT YOU HAD TO EAT IT!

Nothing says fall like an ice cold glass of fresh apple cider.  Cider has been enjoyed by Americans since the time when it was a staple of the colonial diet.  Fresh apple cider fits right into today's healthy lifestyle because it is 100% fruit juice, sweetened only by Mother Nature, and is fat and cholesterol free.

Our sweet apple cider is made with the juice of a special blend of several varieties of apples with nothing else added.  Our cider is completely natural, unpasteurized cider, which gives our cider it's unique flavor and cloudy appearance, that is unlike the heated and bottled apple juice you find in stores.  Since our cider is raw apple juice, it should be kept refrigerated and used within a week or two.  After that it gets a little tingle to it and starts to ferment or turn "hard".  To store cider longer, just loosen the cap a little, leave about three inches of head space for expansion and freeze.  Freezing is a great way to have an ample supply for hot cider during those long winter months.   If you would prefer pasteurized cider, just heat to 160 degrees and refrigerate.

OUR CIDER IS A WINNER
We are proud to say that our cider was voted the top cider in Illinois at the Annual Illinois Cider Contest in January.  Now that we've won those bragging rights, we'll be working hard for a repeat performance!

•  Thaw frozen cider until slightly mushy and eat with a spoon.  (a favorite for kids)  

•   Serve cider cold in a clear glass garnished with a strawberry, cherry, lemon or lime wedge and a sprig of  
    mint.
  

•   Use cider instead of the usual broth to create a tangy stuffing for pork and poultry.

•  Heat cider to boiling and serve with a stick of cinnamon.       

•  Thicken cider with cornstarch, add some lemon juice, almonds and raisins for a delicious sauce for meats.

•    For an adult drink, mix vanilla liqueur into hot cider, add a cinnamon stick and top with whipped cream.
    (great to enjoy when sitting around a fall bonfire)
  

 



This is a favorite recipe from our Honey Hill Orchard Cookbook.*   It''s especially fun to serve for Halloween


                                       5 c. apple cider                                                               1/2 tsp. whole cloves
                                       4 c. cranberry juice                                                         apple slices
                                       1 cinnamon stick                                                            cinnamon sticks
                                       1/2 tsp. whole allspice

Combine first 5 ingredients in saucepan.  Place over medium high heat and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.  Remove spices with a slotted spoon.  Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks

* The Honey Hill Orchard Cookbook is available in the Apple Barn Country Store.